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1921  Hey^;/ood- 
The  captives 


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The  Qaptives;  or^  the  host  T^ecovered, 


THE 


CAPTIVES; 


OR, 

Written  by  l^homas  /leywood. 

edited,  with  Intro duB ion,  [h(otes,  G?  glossary. 
By  Alexander  Corbin  Judson, 

^Associate  T^ro^essor  of  8nglish  ifi  the  University  of   Texas. 


Printed  for  and  published  by  the  Yale  University  Press. 

J^ondon:  Humphrey  Milford:  Oxford  University  Tress. 
MDCCCCXXI 


S4636 


Copyright^  1921,  ^y  the  Tale  University  Tress. 


K3- 


Published  Under  the  Auspices  of  the 

ELIZABETHAN  CLUB 

YALE   UNIVERSITY 

In  Memory  oj 

FRANCIS   BERGEN 

of  the  Class  of  1 9 1 4,  Tale  College. 


THE  present  volume  is  the  first  work  published  in  memory  of 
Francis  BergenyUnder  the  auspices  of  the  Elizabethan  Club, 
of  which  he  was  an  honored  member.  He  was  born  inMont- 
c  lair  J  New  Jersey  ^  on  January  30,  1892,  and  graduated  from  Tale 
College  in  the  Class  of  1914..  While  an  undergraduate  at  Tale  he 
contributed  articles  to  many  of  the  college  periodicals,  served  on  the 
editorial  board  of  the  Yale  Literary  Magazine,  and  was  one  of  the 
recognized  leaders  in  his  class.  After  graduation  he  was  entered  at 
New  College  J  Oxford,  for  a  post-graduate  course,  but  was  prevented 
from  taking  up  his  work  there  by  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  He 
accordingly  entered  the  Harvard  Law  School  in  the  autumn  of  i^i^, 
and  as  a  Senior  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  entitled  to  the  degree 
of  LL.B.  without  examination,  having  enlisted  for  active  military 
service.  For  this  he  had  prepared  himself  by  spending  the  summers 
of  i^i^  and  \gi6  at  Piatt  sburg,  serving  in  the  year  last  mentioned 
with  a  machine  gun  troop  of  the  regular  army  then  stationed  there. 
He  was  killed  May  w,  i<^i^,  by  the  overturn  of  the  automobile  in 
which  he  was  again  going  to  Piatt  sburg  to  enter  the  Reserve  Officers' 
'Training  Camp,  established  after  the  decision  of  the  United  States 
to  bear  its  part  in  the  Great  War,  In  his  memory,  his  father,  in 
May,  1 9 1 9,  established,  at  Tale,  a  foundation  for  the  delivery  of  the 
Francis  Bergen  Lectures  each  year  on  Recent  English  Poetry, Recent 
English  Prose  Literature,  Recent  Dramatic  Literature  and Tirama, 
and  Recent  Advances  and  Achievements  in  Science. 


CONTENTS 


Preface  .....  7 

IntroduSiion:  ....  9 

1.  Authorship  ....  9 

2.  Date         .....  10 

3.  Sgerton   MS,    1994  ^W  Mr.  Bullen  s 
Edition  of  "The  (^aptives''     . 

4.  Sources     ..... 

5.  editor  s  Note      .... 

T/4^  Qaptives;  or^  The  Lost  Recovered 
Notes     ...... 

(glossary  ..... 

Bibliography     ..... 


10 

13 

25 
29 

171 
179 


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PREFACE 


THE  Captives;  or,  The  Lost  Recovered"  is  the  only  play 
now  generally  ascribed  to  Thomas  Hevwood  which  is 
not  contained  in  the  standard  edition  of  his  dramatic 
works,  published  by  John  Pearson  in  i  874.  Its  omission  was  due 
to  the  fatt  that  it  had  not  at  that  time  been  discovered.  In  1885 
Mr.  A.  H.  Bullen,  who  had  shortly  before  stumbled  upon  it  in 
a  British  Museum  manuscript,  printed  it  in  the  fourth  volume 
of  his  "  Collection  of  Old  English  Plays."  Unfortunately  the  edi- 
tion was  limited  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  copies,  and  apparently 
not  many  of  these  have  found  their  way  to  America.  It  was  mainly 
with  the  purpose  of  making  "The  Captives "  more  generally  ac- 
cessible that  the  present  edition  was  undertaken.  The  play  de- 
serves more  attention  than  it  has  received.  Professor  Philipp  Ar- 
onstein,  perhaps  Heywood's  most  able  critic,  says  of  it:  "Hey- 
wood  is  always, above  everything  else, a  theatrical  craftsman.  But 
this  play  is,  moreover,  distinguished  by  the  harmony  and  the 
charming  tenderness  and  grace  of  Heywood's  best  art."* 

Mr.Jeayes,  ofthe  Manuscript  Department  of  the  British  Mu- 
seum,and  Mr.  Bullen  made  the  initial  transcription  ofthe  manu- 
script. I  have,  with  considerable  care,  collated  Mr.  Bullen's  edi- 
tion with  rotographs  of  the  manuscript,  a  labor  which  has  justi- 
fied itself.  I  have  been  able  to  include  several  passages  which  Mr. 
Bullen  tound  himself  unable  to  read, and, aside  from  mere  chang- 
es in  spelling  and  punctuation,  have  altered  his  readings  at  a  num- 
ber of  points.  All  important  departures  from  thetextin  the  Bullen 
edition  have  been  indicated  in  the  foot-notes.  In  a  semi-popular 
*J»g/:a  37.  257. 


8  The  Qaptives, 

edition  like  the  present,  one  might  exped  a  complete  modern- 
izing of  the  text.  I  have,  however,  retained  the  spelling  of  the 
manuscript,  because  my  verbal  departures  from  the  only  other 
printed  version  suggested  the  desirability  of  as  faithful  a  repro- 
du6tion  of  the  original  as  possible.  In  general,  I  have  striven  for 
brevity  in  the  critical  apparatus,  though  I  have  treated  the  mat- 
ter of  sources  with  some  fullness  because  of  the  peculiarly  good 
opportunity  offered  for  the  study  of  Heywood's  characteristic 
handling  of  source  material. 

To  those  who  have  aided  me  in  the  preparation  of  this  edition 
my  hearty  thanks  are  due,  especially  to  my  colleague,  Professor 
Robert  A.  Law,  who  has  read  all  the  proof  sheets  and  given  me 
valuable  suggestions. 

A.  C.JUDSON. 


INTRODUCTION 

Authorship  of ' '  The  Qaptives. 

A  LTHOUGH  the  manuscript  of  "The  Captives"  does  not  bear 
/\  Heywood's  name,  there  is  ample  evidence  that  Heywood 
Jl  A^is  the  author.  The  internal  evidence  alone  is  sufficient  to 
satisfy  the  average  student  of  the  Elizabethan  drama.  The  met- 
rical characteristics  of  the  verse,  the  nature  of  the  domestic  scenes 
involving  the  Lord  and  the  Lady  of  Averne,  the  type  of  humor 
furnished  by  the  clown,  the  peculiar  grace  and  gentleness  of  con- 
dud  revealed  by  Raphael  and  the  Lady  of  Averne — all  these 
stamp  the  play  as  Heywood's.  It  is  not,  however,  necessary  to 
depend  on  internal  evidence  alone.  The  "MS.  Office-Book "  or 
Sir  Henry  Herbert  hasjunder  the  date  of  September  3, 1 624,  the 
following  entry:  "For  the  Cockpit  Company;'^'  A  new  Play, 
called,  The  Qaptive^or  the  Lost  recovered:  Written  by  Hayward."f 
Though  the  manuscript  is  without  title,  there  seems  no  reason 
to  doubtthat  this  is  the  play  referred  to.  A  further  bit  of  evidence 
is  furnished  by  Mr.  Bullen,  who  calls  attention  to  the  fad  that 
"The  Captives"  and  "Calisto,"  the  piece,  consisting  of  scenes 
from  Heywood's  "Golden  Age"  and  "Silver  Age,"  that  imme- 
diately follows,  are  written  in  the  same  very  striking  hand,  which 
appears  nowhere  else  in  the  volume.  J  As  far  as  I  am  aware,  Hey- 
wood's authorship  of  "The  Captives"  has  not  seriously  been 
questioned  by  any  critic. 

*Probably  the  Lady  Elizabeth's  Company. —  Murray,  "  English  Dramatic  Com- 
panies" 1.259. 

fAdams,  ''Dramatic  Records  of  Sir  Henry  Herbert,"  p.  29. 

+  "Colleaion  of  Old  English  Plays"  2.419. 


I  o  T'he  Qaptives. 

Date  of  ''The  C'^ptives^ 
The  entry  from  Sir  Henry  Herbert's  "Office-Book,"  quoted 
above,  which  informs  us  that  "The  Captives"  was  licensed  Sep- 
tember 3,  1624,  furnishes  what  is,  without  much  question,  ap- 
proximately the  date  of  composition  of  the  play.  Even  were  Sir 
Henry  Herbert's  entry  lacking,  one  would  still  be  safe  in  assign- 
ing the  play  to  about  this  time  on  account  of  its  metrical  charac- 
teristics. Metrically,  "The  Captives"  corresponds  more  nearly 
than  does  any  other  play  of  Heywood's  to  "  The  English  Trav- 
eler," which  seems  to  have  been  first  ad:ed  during  or  not  long 
after  1625.*  In  these  two  plays,  Heywood  employs  most  con- 
sistently various  devices — numerous  run-on  lines,  many  fem- 
inine endings,  many  short  and  broken  lines,  and  next  to  no 
rhyme — for  securing  a  natural,  easy  vehicle  for  his  dialogue, 
which  approaches  at  times  almost  the  effect  of  prose.  Very  few 
of  Heywood's  plays  can  be  so  accurately  and  certainly  dated. 

Cgerton  MS.  1994  and<^/[r.  Bullen's  edition. 
There  has  been  hitherto  but  one  edition  of  "The  Captives," 
that  of  Mr.  A.  H.  Bullen,  contained  in  Volume  IV  of  his  work 
entitled  "A  Colle6lion  of  Old  English  Plays,"  privately  printed 
by  Wyman  &  Sons,  Great  Queen  Street,  Lincoln's-Inn  Fields, 
London,  1885.  Until  its  publication  the  play  was  preserved  in  a 
single  manuscript  (Egerton  MS.  1 994),  purchased  by  the  British 
Museum  at  Lord  Charlemont's  sale,  August  6,  1865.  The  his- 
tory of  the  manuscript  prior  to  this  date  is  unknown. 

A  hasty  examination  of  the  manuscript  reveals  forty-three  large 
pages,  written  in  a  rapid  hand  very  unlike  that  found  in  most 
state  letters  and  other  documents  of  the  time.  Corre6lions,  vary- 
ing from  the  alteration  of  a  single  word  to  the  marking  for  omis- 

*See  Aronstein,  Anglia  37.239. 


1 


Introdu8iio7i.  1 1 

sion  of  a  score  or  more  of  lines,  appear  on  almost  every  page. 
The  edges  of  some  of  the  leaves  are  slightly  blurred  and  torn,  hut 
surprisingly  few  words  have  been  rendered  illegible. 

A  closer  examination  reveals  a  number  of  marginal  notes,  made 
perhaps  by  some  theatrical  manager.  These  call  attention  to  the 
point  at  which  various  characters  soon  to  appear  must  be  warned, 
mention  stage-paraphernalia  needed,  and  indicate  more  clearly 
entrances  and  exits.  At  several  points  the  names  of  certain  of  the 
ad:ors — Gibson,  Jack,  and  Taylor — have  been  written  in  the 
margin,  but  elsewhere  the  adtors  are  referred  to  by  their  play- 
names.  Not  only  is  the  handwriting  in  the  margin  different  from 
the  rest,  but  one  word  appears  in  it  consistently  with  different 
spelling:  John  in  the  marginal  notes,  Jhon  throughout  the  text. 

A  careful  study  of  the  manuscript  has  convinced  me  that  it  is 
autograph.  Again  and  again  occur  corrections  and  alterations  that 
only  an  author  would  be  likely  to  make.  In  the  foot-notes  to  the 
text,  the  more  significant  verbal  corrections  have  been  recorded; 
most  of  these  are  quite  evidently  in  the  same  hand  as  the  body 
of  the  play,  and  some  were  made  before  the  lines  in  which  they 
occur  were  completed.  Often  the  reason  for  the  change  is  appar- 
ent. For  example,  line  14,  scene  3,ad:2,  ends  with  j/«;z^j,  which 
is  immediately  preceded  by  w7/,  scored  through.  Evidently  H  ey- 
wood's  intention  was  to  end  the  line  with  ^77/rt/«/VJ,  but  realizing 
when  he  had  written  the  first  syllable  that  he  was  about  to  spoil 
the  metre,  he  crossed  out  wV/,  and  wrote  sinnes  after  it.  In  the 
elimination  of  certain  lines,  too,  we  can  see  the  mind  of  Heywood 
at  work.  In  2. 1. 14-17  Palestra  thus  speaks  of  the  procurer  Mil- 
dew, who  she  imagines  has  been  drowned: 

What  shall  I  thinke 
Becoms  of  my  base  guardien?  Though  the  waves 
Have  spared  the  guiltles,  suer  his  putrid  soule 
Canot  escape  heaven's  justyce! 


1 2  The  Qaptives, 

But  between  the  third  and  fourth  lines  occur  these  deleted  lines : 
Is,  if  there  be  left  any  mercy  for  him, 
Nowe  in  these  bryny  waves  made  cleane  for  heaven.* 

After  Heywood  had  written  them,  he  evidently  felt  that  he  was 
causing  Palestra  to  speak  too  mildly  of  her"base  guardien,"  and 
so  drew  his  pen  through  them,  and  wrote  in  their  place  the  words, 
"Canot  escape  heaven's  justyce."  Another  illustration  is  found 
at  4.2.62.  Here  occur  two  lines  that  have  been  canceled.  The 
reason  for  their  elimination  not  being  clear,  I  was  tempted  to  re- 
store them  to  the  text  till  I  discovered  two  lines  almost  word  for 
word  the  same,  thirty-three  lines  further  on  in  the  scene.  Hey- 
wood apparently  preferred  to  use  them  at  their  second  occurrence, 
and  so  crossed  them  out  where  they  had  first  been  written.  The 
canceled  passage  will  be  found  in  a  note  on  4.2.62.  After  becom- 
ing convinced  that  we  have  "The  Captives"  in  Heywood'sown 
hand,  I  was  informed  by  Mr.  J.  P.  Gilson,  Keeper  of  the  Manu- 
scripts and  Egerton  Librarian  in  the  British  Museum,  that  the 
British  Museum  has  nothing  in  Hey  wood's  hand  apart  from  this 
manuscript,  and  that  he  believes  theidentificationof  the  hand- 
writing must  rest  on  internal  evidence.  He  added,  however,  that 
"the  catalogue  made  the  suggestion  (while  the  authorship  was 
still  unidentified)  that  the  play  was  autograph." 

While  it  seems  clear  that  Heywood  is  responsible  for  certain 
deleted  lines  in  the  manuscript,  there  are  other  lines,  and  even 
passages  of  some  length,  that  may  have  been  marked  for  omis- 
sion by  another.  The  purpose  was  apparently  to  shorten  individ- 
ual speeches  that  lagged,  or  perhaps  to  reduce  the  length  of  the 
play  as  a  whole,  though  all  the  lines  so  marked  total  but  223.-}- 
These  lines  will  be  printed  as  a  part  of  the  text,  as  in  Mr.  Bullen's 
edition,  and  indicated  in  the  foot-notes. 

*  There  are  really  three  lines,  but,  as  the  second  seems  to  be  an  exafl  repetition  of 
the  first  in  more  legible  form,  only  the  second  and  the  third  need  to  concern  us. 
j-Cf.,  for  example,  1. 1.5-27;  2. 1.8-3  2;  3'2. 130-139. 


1 


IntrodiiSiion,  1 3 

In  his  preface  (page  v),  Mr.  Bullen  thus  comments  upon  the 
difficulties  oftranscription:"  Mr.  Jeayes,ofthe  Manuscript  De- 
partment of  the  British  Museum,  undertook  the  labor  oftran- 
scription and  persevered  to  the  end.  As  I  have  elsewhere  stated, 
the  play  is  written  in  a  detestable  hand;  and  few  can  appreciate 
the  immense  trouble  that  it  cost  Mr.  Jeayes  to  make  his  tran- 
script.Where  Mr.Jeayes'  labor  ended, mine  began;  I  spent  many 
days  in  minutely  comparingthetranscriptwiththeoriginal. There 
are  still  left  passages  that  neither  of  us  could  decipher,  but  they 
are  not  numerous."  Mr.  Bullen  has  attempted  in  his  edition  to 
follow  the  manuscript  accurately  as  far  as  spelling  goes,  but  has 
modernized  the  punduation.  He  has  also  provided  foot-notes, 
which  define  a  number  of  archaic  and  obsolete  words,  call  atten- 
tion to  several  of  the  closest  imitations  of"  Rudens,"  and  note 
most  of  the  passages  that  have  been  scored  through  or  marked 
for  omission.  Though  later  editors  may  point  out  flaws  in  Mr. 
Bullen's  text,  they  must  remain  deeply  indebted  to  him  tor  dis- 
covering the  manuscript,  and  for  superintending  the  initial  tran- 
script of  its  extraordinarily  difficult  hand. 

Sources. 
"The  Captives,"  like  many  of  Heywood's  plays,  has  a  double 
plot.  In  the  main  plot,  Palestra  and  Scribonia,  two  beautiful  and 
pure  maidens,  escape  from  the  control  of  Mildew,  a  procurer, 
are  befriended  by  John  Ashburne,  an  English  merchant  of  Mar- 
seilles, and  are  finally  discovered,  through  a  cabinet  long  in  Mil- 
dew's possession,  to  be  Ashburne's  daughter  and  niece  respec- 
tively, kidnapped  as  babies.  In  the  underplot  the  Duke  of  Av- 
erne  kills  a  friar  who  has  made  advances  to  his  wife,  and  so  dis- 
poses of  the  body  that  it  appears  a  brother  friar  has  committed 
the  murder, but  at  the  last  he  saves  theguiltlessfriarby  confessing 
his  deed.  The  connection  between  the  two  plots  is  slight,  being 


1 4  The  Qaptives, 

pradically  confined  to  Palestra  and  Scribonia's  seeking  refuge 
with  the  friars  after  the  escape  from  Mildew. 

The  main  plot,  which  constitutes  considerably  more  than  two- 
thirds  of  the  play,  is  derived  from  Plautus'  comedy  "Rudens."* 
Heywood  has  followed  his  original  closely  as  regards  both  the 
charadersf  and  the  general  progress  of  the  adion.  Yet  out  of  the 
2000  lines  that  concern  themselves  chiefly  with  this  plot,  only 
about  350  represent  a  close  verbal  paralleling  of  his  original. 

Mostof  the  passages  from"  Rudens"  that  have  beenimitated  so 
closely  as  to  make  a  detailed  comparison  interesting  will  be 
found,  as  they  occur,  in  the  notes.  Though  Heywood  faithfully 
preserves  thegeneral  situation  and  sequence  of  events  in  the  orig- 
inal, he  expands  and  reduces  the  matter,  and  alters  details,  as 
his  taste  diftates.  Passages  comprising  about  350  lines  of  the 
main  plot  are  entirely  original  with  Heywood.  These  additions 

*See  A.  H.  Gilbert,  "Thomas  Heywood' s  Debt  to  Plautus,"  Journal  of  English 
and  Germanic  Philology  12.  593-61 1,  for  Heywood's  use  of  Plautus  in  other  plays 
as  well  as  in  "The  Captives." 

Dr.  A.  H.Ward,  m  his  chapter  on  Heywood  in  *  *  The  Cambridge  History  of  Eng- 
lish Literature  "(  6 . 1 1 6  ),  say s  m  reference  to  "  The  Captives " :  "  The  mam  story  is 
taken  from  the  '  Rudens '  of  Plautus,  several  passages  in  which  are  translated  in  the 
play,  but  it  seems  to  have  reached  the  author  through  the  Italian  hand  of  Masuccio  Sa- 
lernitano."  Dr.  Ward  must  be  thinking  of  the  underplot,  which  Heywood  derived 
from  a  novella  of  Masuccio  di  Salerno.  See  page  17. 

yEvery  one  of  the  important  characters  m  '  ♦  Rudens ' '  finds  a  counterpart  in  *  'The 
Captives."  Dsmones,  an  aged  Athenian  now  living  at  Cyrene,  reappears  as  Ash- 
burne,  an  English  merchant  now  living  at  Marseilles;  Plesidippus,  a  young  Athe- 
nian in  love  with  Palaestra,  as  Raphael,  a  young  merchant  of  Marseilles,  in  love 
with  Palestra;  Sceparnio,  servant  of  Dsemones,  as  Godfrey,  servant  of  Ashburne; 
Gripus,  servant  of  Dasmones,  as  the  Fisherman,  or  Gripus,  servant  of  Ashburne; 
Trachalio,  servant  of  Plesidippus,  as  the  Clown,  servant  of  Raphael ;  Labrax,  a  pro- 
curer, as  Mildew,  a  procurer ;  Charmides,  a  Sicilian,  his  guest,  as  Sarleboys,  his 
guest  and  friend ;  Palaestra  and  Ampelisca,  young  women  in  the  possession  of  Lab- 
rax, as  Palestra  and  Scribonia,  young  women  in  the  possession  of  Mildew.  Ptolemo- 
cratia,  priestess  of  Venus,  fills  a  funftion  similar  to  that  of  the  Abbot. 


Introductio7i.  1 5 

consist  mainly  of  songs,  scenes  required  to  give  points  of  contact 
between  the  two  plots,  and  a  concluding  scene  in  which  the  Eliz- 
abethan play-goer  was  enabled  to  learn  how  things  turned  out. 
At  no  point  does  Heywood  give  one  the  impression  of  being 
mastered,  or  even  hampered,  by  his  sources. 

In  the  adaptation  of  his  classical  story  to  modern  times,  Hey- 
wood has  not  been  altogether  successful.  The  adtion  of  his  drama 
is  represented  as  taking  place  about  i  550'='  in  France,  and  yet  a 
slave  purchases  his  liberty  from  an  English  master,  a  procurer 
plies  his  trade  openly,  and  a  young  gentleman  buys  his  wife  for 
three  hundred  crowns.  That  Heywood  recognized  the  desira- 
bility of  some  changes  in  order  to  fit  his  story  to  sixteenth-cen- 
tury France  is  apparent  from  certain  changes,  both  major  and 
minor,  that  he  has  made.  The  temple  of  Venus,  presided  over 
by  a  priestess  of  Venus,  where  the  two  girls  ask  for  prote6tion, 
becomes  a  monastery  in  charge  of  a  high-minded  abbot;  the  sa- 
cred pitcher  which  Ampelisca  carries  as  she  goes  for  water  be- 
comes in  the  hands  of  Scribonia  a  pail  with  the  name  of  the  mon- 
astery engraved  upon  it;  Palestra's  casket  contains  not  the  Ro- 
man trinkets — the  little  golden  sword  and  axe  and  the  little  sil- 
verknife — but  embroidered  handkerchiefsandherbaby-clothes. 
Heywood's  failure  more  thoroughly  to  adapt  his  matter  to  the 
requirements  of  the  new  time  and  place  may  be  explained  partly 
by  the  general  uncritical  charader  of  his  age,  and  partly  by  his 
own  peculiarly  naive  outlook.  Such  incongruities  as  those  men- 
tioned above  would  not  be  likely  much  to  disturb  one  who  could 
calmly  distort  life  as  it  is  distorted  in  "The  Four  Prentices"  or 
"The  Fair  Maid  of  the  West." 

On  the  other  hand,  Heywood  has,  at  least  in  the  opinion  of 
modern  readers,  improved  in  some  respeds  upon  his  original. 

*In  4. 1.305,  "1600"  was  originally  given  as  the  date  of  Palestra's  birth,  but  this 
has  been  correfted  m  the  MS.  to  read  "1530." 


1 6  'The  Captives 

Though"  Rudens  "  is  by  nomeansamonotonous  play,  it  contains 
certain  scenes  that  seem  drawn  out  to  a  needless  length.  Hey- 
wood,  while  preserving  rather  faithfully  the  successive  situations 
found  in  no  fewer  than  thirty-two  scenes  in  "Rudens,"  reduces 
considerably  the  longer  conversations,  and  secures  variety  by  the 
introdudtion  of  an  echo-scene,*  in  which  Palestra's  pleas  for  suc- 
corseemtoreverberatein  the  comfortlessresponsesof  Friar  John, 
by  Gripus*  song  in  praise  of  poverty,-)-  and  by  Palestra's  and  Mil- 
dew's song  at  the  time  of  the  maidens'  recapture.  J  Thus  this  play 
reveals  one  of  Heywood's  most  striking  traits,  his  passion  for  va- 
riety. More  notable  is  his  addition  of  a  scene  presenting  a  satis- 
factory denouement.  At  least  one  critic  has  called  attention  to 
the  abruptness  of  Plautus'  ending.  Sceparnio,  Daemones'  clever 
servant,  does  not  reappear  in  the  latter  part  of  the  play,  Plesi- 
dippus  and  Palaestra  are  not  reunited,  we  do  not  know  what  be- 
comes of  Ampelisca,  and  the  play  closes  flatly  with  Dasmones 
inviting  Gripus  and  the  procurer  to  dine  with  him.  Not  so  with 
Heywood.  His  readers  must  know  the  outcome,  and  in  this  case 
at  least  it  must  be  a  very  cheerful  outcome,  possibly  to  balance 
the  tragic  note  in  the  sub-plot.  And  so  Treadway,  a  character  ap- 
parently introduced  expressly  for  the  purpose,  wins  the  hand  ot 
Scribonia,  who  turns  out  to  be  Ashburne's  niece ;  Raphael,  Hey- 
wood's substitute  for  Plesidippus,  is  joined  once  more  to  Pales- 
tra; and  Ashburne,  who  takes  the  place  of  Daemones,  is  informed 
through  the  arrival  of  his  brother  from  England  that  his  enemies 
are  dead,  and  that  a  large  estate  has  been  left  to  him.  Finally, 
Heywood  is  able  to  sound  his  familiar  note  of  patriotism  as  he 
turns  the  faces  of  his  exiles  toward  England.  Some  may  feel  that 
the  conclusion  is  altogether  too  satisfadory — thatinit  Heywood 
has  done  too  great  violence  to  probability.  Yet  no  one  can  fail  to 
value  the  completeness  and  sense  of  unity  that  it  gives.  Besides 
*2.i.88fF.  -1-4.1.417-444.  I3. 2. 46-61. 


Jntrodii8iio7i.  17 

the  alterations  just  enumerated,  Heywood  has  modified  his  ma- 
teria! by  a  rather  subtle  change  in  atmosphere.  His  humanity, 
which  makes  him  the  mostlovableot  the  Kli/abethandramatists, 
appears  again  and  again.  It  is  evident,  for  example,  in  Raphael's 
attitude  toward  Palestra.  It  reveals  itself  still  more  clearly  in  the 
character  of  Ashburne,  the  old  merchant  whose  heart  has  never 
ceased  to  yearn  for  his  daughter;  Ashburne  possesses  a  dignity 
and  fineness  of  character  quite  lacking  in  Daemones.  This  change 
in  atmosphere  is  perhaps  the  most  welcome  of  Heywood's 
changes. 

The  secondary  plot  of  "I'he  Captives"  shows  about  the  same 
degree  oforiginalityasthemainplot.  Itssource, as  Professor  Emil 
Koeppel  pointed  out  in  1 896,'^'  is  to  be  found  in  a  novella  of  Ma- 
succio  di  Salerno.  The  novella  from  which  Heywood  derived  his 
story  is  the  first  of  fifty  brief  narratives  printed  at  Naples  in  1476 
under  the  title  "  Novellino."  Their  favorite  theme  is  priestly  im- 
morality; and  the  whole  collection  is  written  with  so  much  vigor 
and  originality  that  it  is  easy  to  understand  the  popularity  that 
they  long  enjoyed. 

Oddlv  enough.  Professor  Koeppel's  discovery  of  the  source  of 
the  underplot  seems  to  have  been  overlooked  by  recent  students 
of  the  drama.  In  1898,  Professor  Kittredge  printed  a  note  on 
"The  Captives"f  in  which  he  remarked  that  the  "underplot  is 
merely  a  version  of  the  well-known  Old  French  fal^liau  of 'Le 
Pretre  qu'on  porte,'  already  represented  in  English  by  the'Mery 
Jest  of  Dan  Hew  of  Leicestre.'  "J  Professor  Kittredge's  note  ap- 
parently furnishes  the  basis  for  what  Dr.  Ward  has  to  say  on 
the  subjedt  in  the  "Cambridge  History  of  English  Literature, "|| 
andis  admittedly  the  basis  of  Professor  Schelling's  brief  statement 

'^Archivfur  das  Stadium  der  Neueren  Sprachen  und  Litter  at  ur  en  97.323-329. 

f  "Journal  of  Germanic  Philology  2.13. 

jHazlitt,  "Early  Popular  Poetry  of  England"  3.133-146.  ||6.ii6. 


1 8  .  The  Captives, 

in  his  "Elizabethan  Drama."*  Professor  Aronstein,  in  his  com- 
prehensive study  of  Heywood  in  Anglia'\  alludes  to  Profes- 
sor Koeppel's  article,  but  implies  that  the  Dan  Hew  story  is 
now  recognized  to  be  Heywood's  more  immediate  source.  The 
Old  ¥re.nQ.h.  fabliau  referred  to  by  Professor  Kittredge  appears  in 
at  least  three  distind:  versions,  entitled  respe6tively:  "Du  Seg- 
retain  ou  du  Moine,"J  "Du  Segretain  Moine,"||  and"Le  Dit 
dou  Soucretain."§  Though  they  all  differ  in  various  minor  de- 
tails, all  contain  the  same  series  of  events,  •[[  The  "Mery  Jest  of 
Dane  Hew,  Munk  of  Leicester,"  alluded  to  by  Professor  Kitt- 
redge, is  merely  another  version  of  the  same  tale.  In  the  crude 
but  vigorous  verse  of  the  jest-book,  we  are  told  how  Dan  Hew 
suffered  death  no  less  than  five  times.  The  story  opens  with  the 
monk's  efforts  to  win  to  his  desires  a  certain  woman  good  and 
fair,  the  wife  of  a  tailor.  When  he  persists  in  spite  of  her  re- 
fusal, she  finally  agrees  to  receive  him  on  the  next  day,  after 
her  husband  has  ridden  out  of  town,  provided  he  pays  her 
twenty  nobles.  The  monk,  on  his  arrival, is  told  to  place  the  mon- 
ey in  a  chest,  from  which  her  husband,  who  has  been  concealed 
within, immediately  springs  out  and  kills  him.  The  husband  then 
carries  the  monk's  body  to  the  abbey,  and  sets  it  up  against  the 
wall.  Soon  the  abbot  comes  upon  Dan  Hew,  addresses  him,  gets 
no  response,  and  strikes  him  with  a  staff.  At  once,  under  the  im- 
pression that  he  has  killed  him,  he  has  the  body  conveyed  back 
and  set  upright  at  the  tailor's  door.  The  tailor  later  finds  him 
there,  and  fearing  that  he  may  still  be  alive,  strikes  him  down 

*i.352.  t37.255- 

I Montaiglon  et  Raynaud,  " Recueil  General "  5.1 1  5-1  31  (CXXIII). 

\\Uid.  5.215-242  (CXXXVI).  %Uid.  6.1 17-137  (CL). 

^Other  references  to  l\xz  fabliaux  in  the  * 'Recueil  General,  "given  by  Joseph  Be- 
dierinhis  "Les  Fabliaux,"  page  469,  under  the  heading  "Le  pretre  qu'onporte," 
and  quoted  by  Professor  Kittredge  in  the  Journal  of  Germanic  Philology  (2, 13), 
have  little  or  no  connexion  with  the  tale  under  consideration. 


IntrodtiFlion,  1 9 

with  his  poleax.  The  next  morning  he  bears  the  corpse  away  in 
a  sack,  with  the  intention  of  throwing  it  into  the  mill-pond,  but, 
chancing  upon  a  sack  of  bacon  temporarily  abandoned  by  some 
thieves,  he  substitutes  the  body  for  the  bacon.  When  the  thieves 
discover  his  trick,  they  bring  back  the  body,  and  hang  it  up  be- 
side the  mill,  on  the  very  hook  from  which  they  had  stolen  the 
bacon.  The  miller,  aghast  at  the  body, conceives  the  idea  of  strap- 
ping it,  with  a  long  pole  in  its  hand,  upon  a  stallion  belonging 
to  the  abbot,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  appear  to  pursue  the  abbot 
on  the  following  morning  when  he  rides  forth  on  his  mare.  This 
plan  succeeds,  and  the  abbot  in  terror  cries  out  that  Dan  Hew 
is  trying  to  get  his  revenge.  The  abbot's  men  then  rush  out,  and 
strike  the  body  to  the  earth.  The  poem  closes  with  the  following 
lines: 

So  they  killed  him  once  again, 

Thus  was  he  once  hanged,  and  foure  times  slaine, 

And  buried  at  the  last,  as  it  was  best. 

I  pray  God  send  vs  all  good  rest. 

This  summary  of  the  "  Mery  Jest  of  Dane  Hew"  gives  a  good 
idea  of  the.  fabliaux.  They  are  naturally  very  like  the  jest-book 
tale  in  general  tone;  and  in  their  adion  but  two  variations  worth 
mentioning  occur — the  monk  is  set  up  in  a  privy  inallthreeof  the 
French  versions  instead  of  against  a  wall,  and  at  the  end  he  is 
bound  upon  a  colt  {poulain)  instead  of  upon  a  stallion,  and  the 
pursuit  of  the  abbot  on  his  mare  does  not  take  place.  Evidently 
the  relationship  between  all  these  tales  is  very  close.  But  between 
these  tales  and  Heywood's  underplot  there  exists  a  most  funda- 
mental difference.  From  Heywood's  plot  the  entire  incident  con- 
netted  with  the  substitution  of  the  monk's  body  tor  the  bacon  is 
lacking,  and  accordingly,  with  Heywood,  it  is  the  aggrieved  hus- 
band who  finally  places  the  body  upon  the  horse,  not  the  owner 
of  the  bacon.  Many  less  fundamental  differences  also  occur,  as, 


20  T'he  Captives, 

for  example,  the  absence  from  Heywood's  version  of  the  motive 
of  gain  on  the  part  of  the  wife,  which  prompts  her  to  encourage 
Dan  Hew's  fatal  visit.  That  a  relationship  exists  between  the  Dan 
Hew  story,  with  its  French  counterparts,  and  the  underplot  of 
"The  Captives"  is  perfeftly  obvious,  but  no  one  who  will  com- 
pare them  with  the  summary  of  Masuccio's  novel  given  below 
will  have  the  slightest  question  as  to  which  Heywood  is  more 
likely  to  have  employed. 

A  certain  friar  named  Maestro  Diego  da  Revalo,  comely  in 
person  and  noted  for  his  learning,  was  attached  to  a  religious 
house  in  Salamanca.  One  day,  while  preaching,  his  eye  fell  upon 
a  young  lady  of  marvelous  beauty,  the  wife  of  one  of  the  chief 
gentlemen  of  the  city,  Messer  Roderico  d'Angiaja,  and  he  im- 
mediately conceived  a  passionate  love  for  her.  Accordingly,  after 
turning  the  matter  over  in  his  mind,  he  wrote  a  letter  that  set 
forth  with  great  fullness  the  state  of  his  heart,  and  sent  it  to  her. 
She  was  pleased  at  the  praise  of  her  beauty,  but,  having  no  fond- 
ness for  friars,  returned  him  an  unsympathetic  answer.  Nothing 
daunted,  he  continued  to  importune  her,  so  that  she  could  not 
look  out  of  her  window  or  enter  the  church  without  seeing  him 
hovering  near.  So  noticeable  became  his  attentions  that  she  be- 
gan to  fear  for  her  good  name,  and  laid  the  whole  matter  before 
her  husband.  His  rage  was  such  that  he  was  tempted  to  carry  fire 
and  sword  at  once  against  the  convent;  however,  calming  his  an- 
ger, he  bade  his  wife  invite  Maestro  Diego  to  his  house  the  fol- 
lowing night,  but  to  leave  other  plans  to  him.  Though  it  was 
difficult  for  her  to  imagine  how  the  affair  would  come  out,  she 
complied  with  her  husband's  demands,  and  invited  the  friar,  in- 
forming him  that  her  husband  had  gone  to  the  country,  and 
would  be  absent  that  night.  The  friar  received  this  message  with 
great  joy.  At  the  appointed  time  he  came  to  the  house,  and  was 
conduced  in  by  Donna  Caterina's  maid,  not,  however,  to  her 


IntroduEiio7i.  21 

lady,  but  to  the  master  and  his  trusty  varlet,  who  quietly  stran- 
gled him.  No  sooner  was  the  deed  done  than  the  lord  began  some- 
what to  rue  it,  and,  in  order  to  rid  himself  of  the  body,  had  it  con- 
veyed to  the  convent  on  his  servant's  back,  and  thrust  into  a  privy. 
It  chanced  soon  after  that  a  young  friar,  a  bitter  enemy,  by  the 
wav,  of  Maestro  Diego, came  upon  the  body,  which  hediscovered 
by  the  aid  of  a  small  lamp  that  he  carried.  Supposing  the  friar  to 
be  alive,  he  waited  for  a  time,  but  at  length  became  impatient,  and 
called  upon  Maestro  Diego  to  make  way  for  him.  Receiving  no 
response,  and  believing  himselfpurposely  negledted  by  the  oth- 
er, he  caught  up  a  large  stone,  and  threw  it  at  him.  The  body  fell 
over  limply,  and  the  friar,  terrified,  bethought  himself  what  he 
might  do.  The  shameful  court  paid  by  Maestro  Diego  to  Rode- 
rico's  wife  then  occurring  to  him,  he  conveyed  the  body  to  Mes- 
ser  Roderico's  door,  hoping  that  the  murder  would  be  attributed 
to  the  jealous  husband.  The  friar's  guilty  conscience  now  recom- 
mended that  he  leave  the  monastery  for  a  time;  accordingly  he 
secured  permission  from  the  superior  to  take  a  mare  and  fetch 
certain  goods  left  at  Medina,  a  day's  journey  distant.  Meanwhile 
Messer  Roderico,  troubled  in  mind,  sent  his  servant  to  listen 
about  the  monastery  walls.  Before  the  latter  had  gone  far,  he 
found  the  body  outside  his  door.  Master  and  servant  then  bound 
it  on  the  back  of  a  stallion  belonging  to  a  neighbor,  provided  it 
with  a  lance,  and  led  the  stallion  to  the  front  of  the  monastery, 
where  they  tied  him  to  the  gate.  Just  before  dawn  the  friar  issued 
forth  on  his  mare,  and  was  followed  by  the  stallion,  which  easily 
snapped  the  cord  with  which  he  had  been  tied.  A  wild  pursuit 
through  the  town  then  took  place,  the  noise  of  which  called  forth 
the  citizens  as  spec^tators.  The  friar,  in  mortal  terror,  admitted 
his  guilt,  and  was  turned  over  to  the  secular  power  for  punish- 
ment. But  about  this  time  King  Fernando  visited  Salamanca,  to 
whom  Messer  Roderico  made  full  confession  ot  what  he  had 


22  'The  Captives, 

done,  so  that  the  guiltless  friar  might  not  suffer  death.  Roderico 
was  at  once  pardoned,  and  highly  commended  for  his  deed.* 

Not  only  in  the  main  incidents  employed  does  Heywood  fol- 
low Masuccio  closely,  but  many  of  the  details  of  his  story  are 
rendered  with  considerable  fidelity.Thus  the  lord's  momentary 
inclination  to  destroy  the  monastery  when  he  learns  of  the  friar's 
baseness;  the  friar's  perfuming  of  himself  in  preparation  for  his 
meeting  with  the  lady,  so  that  there  might  be  nothing  about  him 
to  suggest  the  friar;  the  setting  up  of  the  dead  friar  in  the  privy; 
the  lord's  request  that  his  servant  listen  about  the  walls  of  the 
monastery — these  and  other  details  of  treatment  reappear  in 
Heywood's  version.  In  several  instances  the  very  phraseology 
reads  almost  like  a  translation.  On  the  other  hand,  Heywood 
does  depart  at  times  from  his  model,  though  the  reason  for  the 
departure  is  usually  apparent.  The  most  striking  differences  be- 
tween his  plot  and  Masuccio's  narrativearefound(i)in  the  rela- 
tionship of  the  lord  to  the  monastery,  (2)  in  the  chara6ler  of  the 
lady,and(3)in  the  proposal  made  by  the  conscience-stricken  friar 
in  order  to  obtain  the  use  of  the  mare.  According  to  Masuccio, 
the  monastery  is  not  far  from  Roderico's  house;  Heywood  sep- 
arates the  two  buildings  by  only  a  brick  wall,  and  has  the  mon- 
astery founded  by  Roderico.  Probably  Heywood's  objedis  to 
cause  the  friar's  deed  to  appear  still  baser  by  making  the  friar 
guilty  also  of  the  sin  of  ingratitude,  so  that  his  death  at  the 
Duke's  hands  may  seem  more  clearly  justified.  The  Lady  of 
Averne  is  represented  from  the  first  as  more  noble  in  charadter 
than  Donna  Caterina.  She  is  annoyed  instead  of  pleased  by  the 
friar's  letter,  informs  her  lord  of  the  situation  at  once  instead  of 
allowing  the  friar  to  court  her  for  a  considerable  time,  and  finally 
is  deeply  concerned  at  the  thought  that  her  husband  may  kill 
the  friar,  much  as  she  despises  him.  Heywood  has  simply  trans- 

*Masuccio  di  Salerno,  "Novellino,"  Novel  the  First,  pp.  14-26. 


Introduction,  23 

formed  a  typical  Italian  lady  of  the  fifteenth  century  novella  into 
an  English  lady  of  his  own  day.  Heywood's  change  in  connec- 
tion with  the  friar's  application  for  the  use  of  the  mare  is  doubt- 
less made  in  the  interests  of  plausibility.  A  friar  might  reason- 
ably propose  to  the  baker  before  morning  that  he  would  bring 
flour  from  the  mill  tor  him,  but  he  would  scarcely  waken  his 
superior  before  dawn  to  suggest  a  two  or  three-days' journey. 
Besides  making  these  changes,  Heywood  added  two  scenes.  The 
first,  which  introduces  the  underplot,  gives  us  a  glimpse  of  the 
deep-seated  hatred  harbored  by  Friar  Richard  and  P>iar  John 
for  each  other.  The  other  concludes  the  underplot:  in  it  the  Lady 
of  Averne  is  represented  as  bringing  a  pardon  tor  her  husband's 
life,  which  she  has  begged  trom  the  king.  These  additions,  like 
the  changes  just  described,  distinctly  improve  the  plot. 

No  one,  after  a  study  of  the  evidence,  can  question  the  fadt  that 
Heywood  employed  Masuccio's  novel,  or  at  least  a  translation 
of  it.  There  is  one  extant  French  translation  that  might  have 
found  its  way  into  Heywood's  hands.  It  appears  in  Antoine  de 
Saint-Denis's  "Les  Comptes  du  Monde  Adventureux,"'-'  first 
printed  in  1555.  Professor  Koeppel  says  of  it:  "The  Frenchman 
has  followed  the  Italian  closely;  the  adion  is  identical;  only  the 
French  version  is  throughout  somewhat  terser  in  expression." 
He  then  prints  the  following  parallel  passages  from  all  three 
works: 

II  Cavaliere  che  onorato  ed  ani-  L.  Averne.  .  .  .   this  religious 

moso  era  molto  fu  di  tanta  fiera  ira      place,  Once  vowed  to  san6titv,  I'l 
acceso,  che  poco  si  tenne  che  in      vndermyneAnd  in  one  instant  blowe 
quella  ora  non  andasse  a  porre  a      the  structure  vpp  With  all  th'  vn- 
ferro  e  fuoco  il  Convento  e  tutti      hallowed  covent  (3.1.8  i) — 
i  Frati  (p.  1 1  7) — 

Saint-Denis  says  merely:  non  sans  extreme  colere  (p.  127); 

*  Reprinted  by  Felix  Frank,  1878,  Compte  23. 


24  'The  Captives, 

lui  moltobeneperfumatosi,chenon  F.  Jhon.  .  .  .  this  capp  perfumed 
desse  del  fratino  (p.  1 18) —  of  purpose,  lest  I  should  smell  fryar 

(3-3-57)— 

Saint-Denis:  s'estant  prepare &accoustre  desenteurs&bonvin(p.i28); 

Ebbe  per  fermo  averlo  ucciso  lui  F.  Rich.  ...  I  have  doon  a  feare- 

nel  modo  detto,  e  dolente  a  morte,  full  murder,  which  our  former  In- 
dubitando  che  per  loro  inimicizie  veterate  hate  will  be  a  thousand  tes- 
di  botto  sarebbe  sospettato  in  lui  tats  That  I  for  that  insidiated  his 
(p.  120) —  ]yfe(4.2.4o) — 

With  Saint-Denis  this  ground  for  anxiety  over  the  supposed  murder  is 
lacking;  he  says  merely:  [il]  estima  soudain  I'auoir  tue,  dont  fut  ce  frere 
si  dolent  qu'il  fondoit  tout  en  larmes(p.  129).* 

The  conclusion  readily  drawn  from  this  comparison  is  that  the 
Italian  rather  than  the  French  version  was  in  Heywood's  hands. 

In  addition  to  giving  us  the  dramatic  version  of  Masuccio's 
story  in  "The  Captives,"  Hey  wood  has  included  a  brief  account 
of  the  same  incidents  in  his  encyclopaedic  "rvi^atKetoi'"  or  "Nine 
Books  of  Various  History  Concerning  Women,"  with  the  title 
"The  Faire  Ladie  of  Norwich. "f  As  "The  Captives"  was  not 
licensed  till  September  of  the  same  year,  1624,  in  which  the 
" Fvi^atKetoi' "  appeared,  "The  Faire  Ladie  of  Norwich"  almost 
certainly  represents  the  older  version.  It  is  written  in  an  extreme- 
ly pithy  style,  occupying  altogether  but  three  folio  pages.  It 
lacks,  however,  only  two  important  details  found  in  the  ver- 
sion of  "The  Captives":  the  maid  does  not  appear,  and  the  lord 
is  forgiven  at  the  end  without  the  intercession  of  his  wife.  In  view 
of  Heywood's  different  aim  in  each  version,  the  phraseology  is 
naturally  quite  different,  though  a  few  passages  exhibit  a  rather 
striking  verbal  similarity. 
No  one  can  study  Heywood's  use  of  his  sources  without  having 

'^Archiv fiir  das  Studium  der  Neueren  Sprachen  und Litteraturen  97.  328. 
•j-Book  V,  pp.  253-256. 


IntroduElion,  25 

his  admiration  excited  by  the  masterly  manner  in  which  thedram- 
atist  knew  how  to  shape  old  tales  to  his  own  purposes.  On  the 
success  of  his  undertaking  in  the  case  of  "The  Captives,"  Pro- 
fessor Aronstein  writes:  "The  drama  exhibits  the  artist,  so  far 
as  technic  goes,  at  the  height  of  his  art.  The  two  plots,  so  differ- 
ent in  character,  Plautus'  tale  of  remarkable  loss  and  recovery 
and  the  medieval  farce  of  monks  and  knights,  are  with  great 
adroitness  united  into  a  thrilling,  vivid  adtion."* 

editor  s  Note. 

In  the  text  here  given,  the  spelling  of  the  MS.  has  been  re- 
tained, but  punctuation  and  capitalization,  both  largely  lacking, 
have  been  supplied  according  to  modern  usage. 

A  few  other  changes  have  been  made,  as  follows.  The  arbitrary 
or  careless  separating  of  words  into  syllables  and  occasional  join- 
ing of  two  distind:  words  have  been  disregarded.  Words  stricken 
through  and  obviously  not  intended  to  form  a  part  of  the  text 
have  been  omitted,  or,  where  they  appear  to  exhibit  in  an  inter- 
esting way  the  aftion  of  the  author's  mind  in  the  process  of  com- 
position, have  been  reproduced.in  the  foot-notes;  but  all  passages 
stricken  through  or  marked  for  omission  the  reason  for  whose 
elimination  is  not  clear  have  been  reproduced  as  a  part  of  the  text 
and  indicated  in  the  foot-notes.  Stage  directions  in  a  different 
and  evidently  later  hand  (see  page  1 1)  have  been  retained  only 
when  they  clarify  the  action.  All  stage  diredions  have  been  ital- 
icized, and  the  names  of  speakers  preceding  their  speeches  have 
been  set  in  small  capitals.  yf^«i  i  s,Scena  i  ^,  etc.  have  been  print- 
ed A5lus  Primus^  Scena  Secunda,  etc. 

The  difficulty  of  accurately  reproducing  the  spelling  of  a  crab- 

*  AngUa  37.256. 


26  'The  Captives 

bed  hand  has  been  accentuated  by  the  fa6l  that  our  copy  seems 
to  have  been  hastily  written,  with  about  as  many  imperfectly 
formed  letters  as  one  finds  in  the  penmanship  of  ordinary  corre- 
spondence to-day.  Theletters  a^e^  and/have  given  me  most  trou- 
ble. The  letter  a  is  often  formed  so  that  av  looks  like  iv  (with  i 
undotted),  ay  likejy.  It  is  often  difficult  to  determine  whether 
we  should  read  e  or  ee^  and  whether  a  twist  at  the  end  of  a  word 
is  intended  for  final  ^  or  a  mere  flourish.  The  letter/  is  formed 
in  three  diflferent  ways,  but  the /"most  commonly  used  resem- 
bles ff  (perhaps  it  is  an  adaptation  of  the  earlier  capital  letter). 
Though  I  have  examined  many  manuscripts  of  the  periodjl  have 
found  but  one  other  showing  the  regular  use  of  what  seems  to 
be/'" for/  an  indenture  between  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  and  John 
Fitzjames,  1593,  in  the  possession  of  the  University  of  Califor- 
nia library.  As  our  MS.  apparently  does  not  distinguish  between 
the  single  and  the  double  letter,  I  have  doubled  /  only  where 
modern  usage  demands  it. 

For  the  convenience  of  the  reader  I  have  taken  two  other  lib- 
erties with  the  spelling.  I  have  discarded  the  long  J  (/),  and  I  have 
substituted^  for  /where  the  consonant  sound  is  to  be  represent- 
ed (as^  does  not  occur  in  the  MS.,  such  a  change  involves  no  loss 
except  one  of  piduresqueness). 

In  accordance  with  the  practice  of  the  time,  certain  abbrevi- 
ations are  used.  With^  which,  nowe,  and  knowe  are  almost  invari- 
ably written  wth,  wch,  nwe,  and  knwe;  the  syllables  per^pir,  pre, 
and/)n',  and  the  word  jyo«r  are  frequently  written  p''  and^y'  ,•  the 
stroke  below  ^  to  signify  ^<?r  and  the  stroke  over  a  vowel  to  sig- 
nify moY  n  are  also  used.  Theunabbreviated  form  has  been  print- 
ed in  all  these  cases. 

All  words  and  letters  (aside  from  those  just  accounted  for) 
that  have  been  inserted  in  the  text  have  been  bracketed.  They 


IntroduFiion,  27 

may  be  divided  into  four  groups^:  (i)  letters  and  words  that 
appear  to  have  been  carelessly  omitted;  in  a  few  cases  the  omis- 
sion of  a  letter  may  have  been  intentional,  and  its  insertion  must 
be  justified  on  the  ground  that  the  word  is  thereby  made  more 
intelligible  to  the  reader;  (2)  letters  and  words  apparently  torn 
or  cut  away  from  the  MS.;  (3)  letters  and  words  obliterated  or 
almost  obliterated  from  the  MS.;  in  many  cases  these  have  been 
supplied  from  the  Bullen  edition,  and  may  be  conje6tural  read- 
ings of  Mr.  Jeaves  or  Mr.  Bullen;  {4)  letters  designed  to  com- 
plete what  was  probably  thought  of  as  an  abbreviation. 

f  Below  are  lists  of  all  words  in  whole  or  in  part  bracketed  (except  added  stage  di- 
reftions)  arranged  according  to  the  groups  described  above.  An  asterisk  means  that 
the  word  or  letter  is  also  bracketed  in  the  Bullen  text. 

(i)  Marr[y]  l.  1.68  ;  dam[n]able  1. 1. 128;  dun[g]cart  I.  i.l  59  ;  ag[e]nt  l.i. 
197;  posse[ss]ion  i.  1.239;  no[m]ber  1.2.8;  brother[s]  1.3.3;  fort[u]nate 
1.3.84;  dam[n]able  1.3.95;  vnparrel[lel]'d  1.3. 102;  mo[u]nt  1.3. 118;  mis- 
[cjheifes  1.3. 134;  vnfreq[u]ented  2. 1.64;  [Godf.]*2.2.  i  i6;make[s]  2.2. 156; 
[Denis.]  3.1.96;  ho[r]ses  3.1.121;  dam[n]ation  3.2.166,  3.3.66;  leng[t]hen 
3.3.113;  mo[u]nt  3.3.128  ;  pu[n]ftually  4.1.338;  handkerch[er]  4.1.376; 
on[e]  4.1.436;  r[u]mors  4.2.48;  mo[u]nted  4.2.137,4.2.145;  pay[n]es* 
4.2.162;  fort[u]nate  4.2.168;  infort[u]nate  5.1.16;  leng[t]he  5.1.58; 
[him]  5.1.74;  sy[n]ce  5.1.79;  fort[u]ne  5.3.78;  mo[u]nted  5.3.169,  5.3.31  i; 
marcha[n]t  5.3. 189  ;  unfort[u]nate  5.3.255  ;  sati[s]faftion  5.3.334. 

(2)  lyv[es]  1.  1.33;  seminar[y]  1.  1.  86;  hey  [re]  i.  3  .36;  harbo[r]  2.  3.95; 
barbo[r]  2.  3.  97  ;  slee[ve]  3.  1.3;  [this]  3. 1.  15;  praye[rs]  3.2.  116;  bo[w]  3.  2. 
1  24  ;  [me]*  3.  2.  i  29  ;  crack[t]*  3.  2.  135;  hows[es]  4.  1 .  36  ;  migh[t]  4.  1.83; 
howshou[ld]  4.1.213;  y[ou]  4.1.216;  vente[r  on  the]  4.  1.216;  Marcell[is]*  4. 

1.  221. 

(3)Wi[thin]  I.  I.  56;  shamb[les]  1.  i.  i  1  7  ;  [them]  i.  1.  1  i  8  ;  whormaster[s] 
1.1.  226;  he[althe]  1.2.57  ;  supp[cr]  i.  3.  56  ;  [in]  l.  3.  56;  [Yet]  1.3.123; 
s[oule]*  2.  1.  16;  [in]  2.  1.  201  ;  [with]  2.  2.  162  ;  [then]  3.  3.  25  ;  [Lett'sremove 
itt]  3.  3.  88  ;  b[e  kept]  5.  3.  108. 

(4)  Ex[eu]nt  1.1.  243,  1.2. 193,  2. 1. 193;  fish[ermen]  2.  2.  54;  Clow[n]  2. 

2.  60  ;  l[ord]  5.  3.  270. 


28  The  Captives, 

My  emendations,  very  few  in  number,  are  recorded  in  the 
foot-notes,  as  are  all  material  differences  between  the  Bullen  text 
(hereafter  designated  as  5.)  and  mine.  Such  stage  directions  as 
have  been  added  are  followed  as  well  as  preceded  by  a  bracket. 


mg^  (TV'^^  <^y^-ti^  (TVs'^^  urv<^^  (^y^-sf^  (Tv^^fX)  (TV'^r^  ^^^m 


^  c^*^"  (jJ^*^'^  c>'*^'^  c^*^^  (^Jf'Aj)  dJ^'^^kj)  (^J^^'^is)  (Uf" 

Xl^he  Qaptives;  or^  The  Lost  T^covered. 
TDra/ridtis  l^ersont^e.''-' 

The  Duke  of  Averne;  A  FadtortoThomas  Ashburne; 

John   Ashburne,   an    English  A  Clown,  servant  to  Raphael; 

merchant;  A  Baker; 

ThomasAshburne, his  brother;  The  Lady  of  Averne; 

Raphael,  a  merchant;  Palestra,  )  maidens  in  the  pos- 

Treadway,  his  friend;  Scribonial session  of  Mildew; 

Mildew,  a  procurer;  Isabel,  wife  to  Ashburne; 

SarleboySjhisguest  and  friend;  Millicent,  maid  to  the  Lady  of 

Friar  Richard;  Averne; 

Friar  John;  Friars,  citizens,  attendants,  a 

An  Abbot;  sheriff  and  officers. 
Dennis,  servant  to  the  Duke; 
Godfrey,                          \ 
A  Fisherman  (Gripus),  f 

servants  to  Ashburne; 

Scene:  Marseilles;  a  village  on  the  shore  near  the  city."^ 

*No  list  oi  dramatis  persona  appears  in  the  Bullen  edition. 


^""^"w^^^^mm^mm' 


ACTUS    PRIMUS 

SCENA    PRIMA 

Cnter  mr.  Raphael, <7  yonge  marchaunt,  mr.  treadwav, 
his  companion  andfrend. 

Raphael.  You  talke  to  one  that's  deaf;  I  am  resolv'd. 
treadway.  I  knowe  you  are  not  of  that  stupid  sence 
-  But  you  will  lyst  to  reason. 

RAPHAEL.  All's  but  vayne. 

TREADW.  You  saye  shee's  fayre. 

RAPHAEL.  And  there-fore  to  bee  lov'd. 

TREADWAY.  No  Consequent,  for  .  .  .  who  so  fond 
To  trust  to  collar.  Are  not  the  bewtyous  lyllyes. 
The  garden's  pryde  and  glorye  of  the  feilds, 
Thoughe  to  the  eye  fayre  and  delegable. 
Yet  ranke  in  smell?  The  stayneles  swanne 
With  all  the  ocean's  water  canott  wash 
The  blacknes  from  her  feete;  'tis  borne  with  her. 
Ott  painted  vessayles  bringe  in  poyson'd  cates, 
And  the  blackest  serpents  weare  the  goldenst  skales; 
And  woman,  made  man's  helper  at  the  fyrst, 
Dothe  oft  proove  his  destroyer. 

RAPHAEL.  Saye  perhapps 

frend,etc.\  MS. 

5-27  for  .  .  .  frend.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 
5  for  .  .  .  fond]  Om.  B. 

31 


1 


32  The  Captives,  x^Aa  i. 

Som  frend  of  yours  miscarried  in  his  choyse; 

Will  you  condeme  all  women  for  that  one? 

Bycause  wee  reade  one  Lais  was  vnchast. 

Are  all  Corinthian  ladyes  cortesans? 

Shall  I,  bycause  my  neighbour's  howse  was  burnt,  v  *© 

Condeme  the  necessary  vse  of  fyer? 

One  surfetts,  and  shall  I  refuse  to  eate? 

That  marchant  man  by  ship-wrack  lost  his  goodds; 

Shall  I,  bycause  hee  perisht  in  the  sea, 

Abjure  the  gainfull  trade  of  merchandyse,  as 

Despoyle  my  shipps,  and  vnbecom  the  deepes 

Of  theire  fayre  sayles  and  tackles? 

TREADE.  Not  so,  frcnd. 
Allthoughe  her  person  may  perhapps  content, 
Consider  but  the  place. 

RAPHAEL.  I  knowe  it  badd. 
Nay  woorst  of  ills. 

TREAD  WAY.  A  howse  of  prostitution  s® 

And  common  brothellrie. 

RAPHAEL.  Which  coold  not  stand 
But  that  her  vertue  guards  it  and  proteds  it 
From  blastinges  and  heaven's  thunder.  There  shee  lyv^es] 
Lyke  to  a  ritche  and  pretiousjewell  lost, 

Fownd  shyninge  on  a  doonge-hill,  yet  the  gemme  "  35 

No  waye  disparadg'd  of  his  former  woorthe 
Nor  bated  of  his  glory;  out  of  this  fyer 
Of  lust  and  black  temptation  she  is  return'd 
Lyke  gold  repur'd  and  tryde. 

TREAD  WAY.  Of  what  byrthe  is  shee? 

RAPHAEL.  Vnknowne  to  mee  or  any;  shee  protests,  40 

Naye,  to  her  self.  What  neede  I  question  that? 

33  thunder]  thunders  B.  36  waye]  wyse  B. 


Scene  1.-}  The  Qaptives,  33 

Sure  sutche  sweete  feature,  goodnes,  modesty, 
Such  gentlenes,  such  vertue  canott  bee 
Deryv'd  from  base  and  obscure  parentadge. 

TREADWAV.  What's  then  your  end  and  purpose? 

RA  PH  AEL.  To  redeeme  her  4S 

Out  of  this  gayle  of  sinne  and  leprosye, 
This  mart  of  all  diseases,  where  shee  lyves 
Still  vnder  the  comande  and  tyrany 
Of  a  most  base  hee-bavvde;  about  which  busines 
Wee  have  allready  traffidt. 

TREADWAY.  Well,  if  so,  5° 

And  to  dispose  her  elcewhere  to  her  goodd, 
Provided  still  that  vertue  be  your  ayme, 
I  canott  but  commende  your  charity, 
And  to  mv  power  I'l  seeke  to  further  it. 

RAPHAEL.  You  so  intyre  mee  to  you.  Within  theire!  55 

Snter  the  c  l  o  w  n  e  . 

c  LOWNE.  Wi[[thin3  theire  is  nowe  without  heare.  Your  wor- 
shipp's  pleasure? 

RAPHAEL.  Hye  to  the  next  key  and  inquire  for  one  cal'd 
Seignior  Mildewe,  and  resolve  him  from  mee  that  I  have  kept 
apointment;  the  somm's  redy  and  present  to  be  tender'd.  60 

c LOWNE.  Who?  the  Neapolitan  seignor?  the  man-makarel 
and  marchant  of  madens-fleshe  that  deales  altogether  in  flawed 
ware  and  crackt  comodityes?  the  bawdy  broker,  I  meanes, 
where  a  man  for  his  dollers  may  have  choyse  of  diseases,  and 
som  tvmes  the  pox  too,  if  hee  will  leeve  beehind  him  a  goodd  65 
pawne  for  it? 

RAPHAEL.  Howe  thou  drumm'st. 

42  feature]  features  B. 

61  Neapolitan]  fr^;7j^^  monster,   'Neapolitan  B.  (See  note.^ 


34  'The  Qaptives.  x^Aa  i. 

CLOWNE.  MarrCy]],  qothe  hee.  So  I  may  happen  to  bringe  it 
awaye  in  my  nose.  Well,  I  smell  som  bawdy  businesorother  in 
hand.  They  call  this  place  Marcellis  Roade,  the  cheif  haven  70 
towne  in  France,  but  hee  keepes  a  road  in  his  owne  howse 
wherein  have  ridd  and  bin  ridd  more  leakinge  vessayles',  more 
panderly  pinks,  pimps,  and  punkes,  more  rotten  bottoms  bal- 
lanst,  more  fly-boates  laden  and  vnladen  every  morninge  and 
evenning  tyde  then  weare  able  to  fill  the  huge  greate  baye  of  75 
Portingall.  Is  this  all,  syr? 

RAPHAEL.  Yes,  all,  and  heare's  the  some. 

CLOWNE.  A  small  somme  of  that  is  woorthe  all  the  busines 
that  I  am  sent  about,  for  the  all  in  all  on't  is  I  am  afrayde  that 
all  will  proove  woorthe  nothinge.  C<^''^^^-II  ^° 

TREAD  WAY.  And  yefc  mee  thinkes,  ere  fully  you  conclude. 
You  should  a  little  stagger. 

RAPHAEL.  Speake!  Wherein? 

TREAD  WAY.  For  many  reasons.  I'l  alleadge  some  fewe. 
Who  knowes  but  this  your  fayre  and  seeminge  saynt, 
Thoughe  dispos'd  well  and  in  her  owne  condition  85 

Of  promisinge  goodnes,  yet  livinge  in  the  seminar[|y3 
Of  all  libidinous  actions,  spedtars,  sights. 
Even  in  the  open  market  where  sinne's  sould. 
Where  lust  and  all  vncleanes  are  commerst 

As  freely  as  comodityes  are  vended  90 

Amongst  the  noblest  marchants, — who  I  saye 
So  confident  that  dare  presume  a  virgin 
Of  such  a  soft  and  maiden  temprature, 
Dayly  and  howerly  still  sollicited 

By  gallants  of  all  nations,  all  degrees,  95 

Allmost  all  ages,  even  from  vpright  youth 

76  Is]  Scored  through  in  MS.  80  [(?;c//.]]  Om.  B. 

8 1  folly]  folly  B.  82  Speake]  Should  B. 


Scene  J.-]  Thc  Quptives,  35 

To  th'  stoopinge  and  decrepitt — 

RAPHAEL.  Heare  mee  nowe. 

TREAD  WAY.  Too  vvoords,  aiid  I  have  doonne:  the  place  con- 
sidered, 
The  basenes  of  the  persone  vnder  whome 

Shee  lyves  opprest,  a  slave  of  sordid  lyfe,  'oo 

Condition'd  with  the  devill,  temptinge  still, 
Sometymes  by  fayre  means,  then  againe  by  force, 
To  prostitute  her  for  his  servyle  gayne; 
And  next  the  dissolute  crewe  with  which  shee's  hows'd 
Ech  night,  ech  daye,  persuadinge  boathe  with  toonge  los 

And  lewde  example;  all  these  circomstances 
Duly  considered,  I  shoold  dowbt  at  least. 
If  not  presume,  the  woorst. 

RAPHAEL.  Oh  you  havc  pleas'd  mee. 
And,  in  proposinge  all  these  difficultyes, 

Giuen  of  her  graces  ample  testimony.  "o 

Shee  is  that  miracle,  that  only  one 
That  cann  doo  these;  wear't  comon  in  the  sex, 
'Twold  not  appeare  to  mee  so  admirable; 
It  is  for  these  I  love  her. 

TREAD  WAY.  Y'are  resolv'd. 
And  ri  not  staye  your  purpose.  "5 

£nter  the  c  l  o  w  n  e  ,  with  m  i  l  d  e  w  e  and  sarleboys, 
his  guest  and  frende. 

clowne.  I  have  brought  this  fleshe-fly,  whome  as  soone  as 
the  butchers'  wyves  sawe  comminge  throwghe  the  shambQles], 
they  all  of  [;them]  stood  with  theire  flapps  in  theire  hands  like 
fannes.  I  demandinge  the  reason,  itt  was  answer'd  mee  againe  itt 

I02  force]  foul  B.  (^See  note.)  103  gayne]  gaynes  B. 

I  14  Y']  You  5. 


36  The  Qaptives,  i^Aa  l 

was  to  keepe  away  his  infedious  breath  least  it  should  fill  theire  no 
meate  with  fly-blowes. 

RAPHAEL.  Well  mett,  good  Mr.  Mildewe. 

MiLDEWE.  My  returne 
Of  your  salutes  I  cast  belowe  your  feete. 

RAPHAEL.  Syr,  I  am  yours  to  treade  on.  You  will  then 
Stand  to  your  former  bargen? 

M  I  LDEWE.  I  weare  elce  125 

Not  woorthy  to  bee  stil'd  what  I  am  tearm'd, 
A  trewe  venereall  broaker. 

CLOWNE.  That's  in  Italian 
A  damCn^Jable  hee  bawde. 

MILDEWE.  Y'have  such  a  bargen 
Marcellis,  nor  all  France,  shall  yeild  the  lyke. 
'Tis  such  a  deynty  peece  of  purity,  13° 

Such  a  coy  thinge,  that  hee  vnto  whose  lott 
She  shall  hereafter  fall  may  boast  him  self 
To  bee  a  happy  husband.  For  our  trade, 
Shee's  out  at  that:  neather  promises,  rewards. 
Example,  or  intreaty,  fayre,  fowle  meanes,  13s 

Gaine  present,  or  the  hope  of  future  goodd, 
Can  force  from  her  a  presens;  then  much  lesse 
A  frendly  prostitution. 

RAPHAEL.  Hear'st  thou  this? 

TREAD  WAY.  Yes,  and  comende  it  in  her,  if  that  toonge, 
Even  from  his  fyrst  of  speakinge  train'd  to  lyes,  140 

Can  nowe  at  lengthe  speake  truth. 

CLOWNE.  Ay,  there's  the  dowbt. 

SARLAB.  This  too  yeares  I  have  quested  to  his  howse, 

1 31-133  that  .  .  .  husband.]  Scored  through  iti  MS. 

I  39-141  Marked  for  omission  i7i  MS.      140  lyes]  lye  B. 

142  SARLAB.]  Mildewe.  MS. 


Scene  I."]  The  Qapttvcs,  37 

And  knowe  all  this  most  certeine. 

RAPHAEL.  Witnes  too. 

MiLDEWE.  I  doo  protest  shee  spoyles  my  family, 
And  rather  growne  a  hyndrance  to  my  trade  i4S 

Then  benefitt;  so  that,  if  not  to  losse, 
I  wishe  that  I  were  clerly  ridd  of  her, 
For  shee  hathe  gott  a  trick  to  scorne  my  whores; 
And  such  as  of  themselves  are  impudent, 

When  shee  but  coms  in  presens,  shee  makes  blushe,  150 

As  if  asham'd  of  what  they  late  had  doon, 
Or  are  about  to  doo. 

CLOWN  E.  Well  sayde,  ould  sinner. 

RAPHAEL.  See,  heere's  the  sum,  3  hondred  crownes. 

MILDEW.  O,  th'  somme! 

RAPHAEL.  All  currant  and  full  weight. 

MI  LDEW.  V\  fetch  my  doughter 
That  hathe  no  lightnes  in  her,  currant  too  iS5 

As  any  lass  i'  th'  cittye. 

RAPHAEL.  Mildewe,  staye. 

CLOWNE.Staye,oh  thou  father  of  fornication  and  marchantof 
nothinge  but  miseryes  and  myscheife;  wheele  about,  thou 
dun[;g3cart  of  diseases ;  sayle  this  way,  thoue  gally-foyst  of  galls 
and  garbadge!  Dost  not  heare  my  mayster?  Staye!  160 

MILDEWE.  Why,  did  his  woorshippe  call? 

c  L  o  w  N  E .  Didst  thou  not  heare  him  call,  and  mee  cry  out  vp- 
on  thee? 

MILDEWE.  His  pleasure,  then? 

RAPHAEL.  I  have  bethought  mee  better  nowe  to  keepe  165 

This  busines  secrett,  least  it  chanc  to  arryve 
To  th'  eares  of  some  of  my  most  noble  frends; 

148  scorne] .  .  .  B.  158  miseryes]  mesteryes  B. 


8463G 


38  The  Qaptives,  x^Aai, 

And  not  to  make  it  publicke  and  this  honest 

Purpose  of  myne  by  that  meanes  misreated, 

Heare  lett  her  stay  till  night,  bycause  I  am  loath  170 

In  th'  eye  of  daye  to  move  her  through  the  streetes. 

MiLDEWE.  Good,  syr.  : 

RAPHAEL.  Nowe  in  the  villadge  by,  that  fronts  the  sea 
Som  half  league  off,  where  stands  the  monastery, 
I  have  bespoake  a  place  to  sojorne  her.  175 

There  I  this  eveninge  do  intend  a  feast 
Where  only  wee  and  som  fewe  private  frends 
Have  purpost  to  bee  jhoviall.  To  that  place 
I  prithee,  with  what  pryvacy  thou  canst, 
Condu6l  her,  and  so  add  vnto  our  guests.  180 

MILDEWE.  The  place  I  knowe,  the  tyme  is  perfed:  with  mee, 
And,  for  the  feast  you  saye  you  have  prepar'd, 
I  shall  provyde  a  stomacke. 

RAPHAEL.  Her  caskett,  and  such  other  necessaryes 
Included  in  our  bargen,  bringe  along,  .        185 

Or  lett  her  mayde  doo't  for  thee. 

MILDEW,  ri  not  bate  her 
A  ruff  or  ragge;  no  pinne  that's  vsefull  too  her 
Will  I  keepe  backe. 

RAPHAEL.  To  this  you  are  witnes,  frend. 

TREAD  WAY.  I  am,  syr. 

MILDEW.  So's  my  guest. 

CLOWNE.  And  lookes  as  if  with  me  190 

Hee  only  could  wryte  witlesse. 

RAPHAEL.  Supper  tyme 
You  will  remember,  Mildewe. 

MILDEWE.  Possible 

176  do  intend]  A  corre£tion  in  MS.  for  have  beespoke. 

190,  191  CLOWNE.  .  .  witlesse.]  Marked/or  omission  in  MS. 


SceNf  j.'2  T/je  Qaptives,  39 

I  shoold  forgett  to  eate  of  others'  cost? 
It  never  was  my  custom. 

CLowNE.  Choake  you  for't. 

RAPHAEL.  Com,  frend;  mee  thinks  I  have  doone  a  deede 
this  day  19s 

Crownes  all  my  better  actions,  for  I  have  raised 
An  innocent  from  the  hands  of  an  infidell  agCe)]nt. 

CLOWNE.  Farewell,  rott;  farewell,  murreine;  adiewe. 

MiLDEWE.  Farewell  till  soone. 

\^£xeunt  Raphael,  trea  uway,  and  clowne.]] 

SARLAB.  And  do  you  meane  to  keepe  your  promisse  then,     200 
And  doo  as  you  have  sayde.'' 

mildewe.  Why  not,  I  prithee.^ 
What  elce  canst  thou  advyse  mee? 

SARLAB.  Are  not  wee 
Boathe  of  a  rotten  consciens,  men  debosht, 
Secluded  from  the  company  of  such 

As  eather  are  or  elce  would  stryve  to  bee  aos 

Reputed  honest?  Wherefore  then  should  wee 
Keepe  tutch  with  any  that  professe  themselfes 
Not  to  bee  of  our  ranke  ? 

mildewe.  Proceede,  good  frend; 
Thou  hast  putt  projed:  in  my  brayne  allredy. 
Small  tyme  woold  better  fashion. 

SARLAB.  What  if  I  aio 

Laye  such  a  plotte  that  you  shall  gayne  these  crownes, 
These  full  three  hundryd,  to  your  proper  vse, 
And  of  these  peevishe  harletryes  at  home 
Make  a  much  greater  market? 

MI  ldewe.  Marry,  syre, 
That  were  a  tale  woorth  listeninge. 

199  MILDEWE  .  .  .  soone.]  In  MS.  a  continuation  of  Clowne' s  speech. 


40  T'he  Qaptives,  iJai. 

SAR LAB.  These  crowns  ^15 

Are  all  your  owne,  in  your  possession; 
So  are  the  maydes.  I  knowe  you  ritche  beesydes 
In  coyne  and  Jewells;  heere  you  lyve  despys'd, 
And  what's  this  clime  to  vs  of  more  esteme  ; 

Then  any  forreine  region?  Whores  and  bawdes  ^^o 

May  lyve  in  every  corner  of  the  woorld — 
Wee  knowe  'tis  full  of  sinners.  This,  this  day 
Lett's  hyre  a  barke;  wee  dwell  vpon  the  haven, 
And  instantly  'tis  doon.  Shipp  all  your  goodds 
With  these  shee-chatteyles;  putt  this  night  to  sea.  225 

England  they  saye  is  full  of  whormaster^s^. 
There  will  be  vent  for  such  comodityes; 
There  strompett  them  where  they  (you  saye)  weare  born; 
Elce  you  in  Spayne  maye  sell  them  to  the  stewes, 
Venyce,  or  any  place  of  Italy :  230 

They  are  everywhere  good  chaffer.  If  not  these. 
What  saye  you  to  Morocho,  Fesse,  Algeires? 
Faith,  these  are  wares  in  all  parts  vendible. 
No  matter  thoughe  to  Turke  and  infidell, 
So  itt  bringe  gayne  and  profitt. 

M I L  D  E  w E .  Lett  me  hugg  thee  235 

For  this,  deare  frend;  heareafter  I  will  style  thee 
My  better  genius;  thou  hast  monied  mee  in  this, 
Nay  landed  me,  made  me  thy  brayne's  executor. 
And  putt  mee  in  a  lardge  posse[;ss3ion. 
Go  hyre  a  barke. 

SARLAB.  I  shall. 

MILDEW.  And  instantly.  240 

SARLAB.  I  shall. 

222  This  .  .  .  day]  A  corre£lion  in  MS.  for  instantly. 
226  whormaster[s]]  A  correBion  in  MS,  for  merchandyse. 


Scene  1 1.2  T'he  Quptives .  41 

MI  LDEWE.  Ere  night  wec'l  putt  into  a  sea 
No  lardger  then  our  full  stretcht  consciences. 
Lett  mee  once  more  imbrace  thee.  C'^'^C^^I]^''- 


ACTUS   PRIMUS 
SCENA   SECUNDA 

8nter  <?«  abbot,  with  his  covent  offryars,  amongst  them 

FRYAR  JHON  <2«<^  FRYAR   RITCHARD. 

ABB  ATT.  As  I  have  heare  priority  of  place, 
..Boathe  by  our  patron's  favour  and  your  voyce. 
So  giue  mee  leave  to  arbitrate  amongst  you. 

F.  jHON.  Without  respect  of  person  wee  acknowledge  you 
Our  prince  and  cheife. 

F.  RICHARD.  And  to  your  fatherly  5 

And  grave  advyse  humbly  submitt  our  selves. 

ABBOTT.  Knowe  then  in  this  small  covent,  which  consysts 
Only  of  12  in  no[;m;]ber — fryars,  I  meane — 
And  vs  the  abbat,  I  have  fownde  amongst  you 
Many  andgrosse  abuses;  yet  for  the  present  ,0 

I  will  insist  on  fewe.  Quarrells,  debates, 
Whisperinge,  supplantinges,  private  callumnyes, 
These  ought  not  bee  in  such  a  brotherhoodd. 
Of  these  Fryar  Jhon  and  thou,  Fryar  Richard,  are 
Accus'd  to  bee  most  guilty,  ever  jarringe  ^5 

And  opposite  to  peace. 

F.  JHON.  The  fawlt's  in  him. 

I  Marginal  stage  direHions  in  another  hand:  Chairs.  Jack,  Gibson. 


42  The  Qaptives,  x^Aa  i. 

F.  RICH.  As  in  all  other  thinges,  so  even  in  this 
Hee  still  is  apt  to  wronge  mee. 

F.  jHON.  Hee  that  fyrst  giues  th'  occation  fyrst  complaines; 
It  ever  was  his  fashion. 

F.  RICH.  Never  myne;  »o 

I  appeale  to  the  whole  covent. 

ABBOT.  Mallyce  rooted, 
I  finde,  is  woondrous  hard  to  bee  supprest. 
But  knowe,  where  consell  and  advise  preveyle  not, 
The  fayrest  meanes  that  I  can  woork  your  peace, 
ri  take  vpon  mee  my  authority;  25 

And  where  I  finde  in  you  the  least  contempt, 
I  shall  severely  punishe. 

F.  JHON.  I  submitt. 

FRY.  RICH.  I  yeild  myself  to  your  grave  fatherhoodd. 

ABBOTT.  Consider,  sonnes:  this  cloyster'd  place  of  ours 
Is  but  newe  rear'd ;  the  fownder,  hee  still  lyves,  30 

A  souldier  once  and  eminent  in  the  feild. 
And  after  many  battayles  nowe  retyr'd 
In  peace  to  lyve  a  lyf  contemplativ. 
Mongst  many  other  charitable  deedes, 

Vnto  religion  hee  hathe  vowed  this  howse,  35 

Next  to  his  owne  fayre  mantion  that  adjoynes 
And  parted  only  by  a  slender  wall. 
Who  knowes  but  that  hee,  neighboring  vs  so  neare 
And  havinge  doone  this  vnto  pious  ends, 

May  carry  over  vs  and  our  behaviours  40 

An  austere  ey  of  censure? 

F.  JHON.  Fitt,  therefore, 
Wee  should  bee  in  our  actions  cautelous. 

FRYAR  RICH.  And  carefull  least  wee  may  incurr  displeasure 
Of  such  a  noble  patron. 


Scene  J  1.2  TheQuptives,  43 

ABBOT.  Well  observ'd. 
His  bewtious  lady  — 

F.  jHON.  A  svveete  soule  indeede.  45 

F.  RICHARD.  On  whom  Fryar  J  Hon  casts  many  a  leering  ey; 
1  have  observ'd  that,  too. 

ABBOT.  Boath  for  her  outward  feature 
And  for  her  inward  graces,  exellent 

Beyond  compare;  shee  lykewyse  is  to  vs  50 

A  woorthy  benefaftor. 

F.  RICH.  'Tis  confest. 

F,  JHON.  Would  I  might  com  to  bee  her  confessor; 
It  is  a  fayre,  sweete  lady. 

F.  RiTCH.  Howe  the  lecher 
Hugges  at  the  very  name. 

ABBOT.  Morninge  and  eveninge 
They  dayly  com  to  mattens  and  to  evensonge.  55 

Such  and  so  greate  is  theire  devotion 
That,  if  not  cras'd  or  faylinge  in  theire  Che^Jalthe, 
They  do  not  misse  vs  any  hower  of  prayer; 
And  therefore  it  behooves  vs  all  in  generall 

To  sett  a  carefull  watche  vpon  our  deedes,  60 

Least  we  that  are  profest  religious 
Be  in  the  least  defedtiue. 

F.  RiTCHARD,  Noate  Fryare  J hon, 
Howe  hee  makes  anticke  faces,  and  in  scorne 
Of  this  your  reverent  counsell. 

F.  JHON.  I  ?  Alas, 
A  weakenes  from  my  childhood,  I  confesse,  65 

I  ever  had,  and  canott  helpe  it  nowe, 
To  have  atrobled  countenance.  1  make  mouthes? 
This,  most  observed  father,  but  approoves 

53,  54  F.  RITCH.  .  .  .  name.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


44  The  Qaptives,  L^^^^- 

My  innocens  and  his  envye.  Markt  you  that? 

Fryar  Richard  bent  his  fyst  and  threatned  mee.  70 

I  call  all  these  to  witnesse. 

F.  RiTCH.  No  such  thinge! 
I  have  a  crampe  oft  takes  mee  in  this  hand, 
And  makes  mee  weare  clutcht  fingers,  and  that  passion 
Nowe  came  vpon  mee;  but  for  meanacinge  him. 
It  ever  was  farr  from  mee.  This  but  showes  75 

His  owld,  inveterate  mallyce,  which  in  charity 

I  wishe  might  heare  lye  buried. Syrrah,  anon 

ri  have  you  by  the  eares. 

F.  jHON.  Doo  if  thou  dar'st; 
We'll  tugge  it  out  by  the  teeth. 

F.  RiTCHARD.  Meete  me  i' th' orchard 
Just  after  even  song. 

F.  JHON.  I  will  make  short  prayers  go 

Bycause  I'l  keepe  appointment. 

ABBOTT.  I  am  playne 
And  breife  with  all :  eather  beetwixt  you  too 
Make  frendly  reconsilement,  and  in  presence 
Of  this  your  brotherhood  (for  what  is  fryar 

But  frater,  and  that's  brother?),  or  my  selfe  85 

Out  of  my  power  will  putt  you  to  a  penance 
Shall  make  you  in  one  weeke  fyve  fasting-dayes. 

F.  JHON.  Oh  terrible! 

ABBOTT,  Or,  if  that  will  not  tame  you, 
I  will  complayne  to  th'  fownder  of  your  loosenes. 
Your  riotts,  and  disorders,  and  petition  9° 

That  you,  as  sowers  of  seditions  heare 
And  sole  disturbers  of  our  comon  peace, 
Maye  bee  excluded  this  society, 

9 1  seditions  heare]  seditious  hatred  [?]  B. 


Scene  J  J.';]  The  Qaptives,  45 

Banisht  by  comon  barre-law,  and  shutt  out 
To  publick  shame  and  beggerye. 

F.  RICH  AR  D.  Horrible!  ^5 

F.  JHON.  Fyrst,  then,  to  showe  my  submisse  willingnes 
And  forwardnes  vvithall,  with  as  much  charity 
As  any  new  reformed  man  maye  doo, 
I  with  a  zeale  &  hart  new  reconcil'd 
Thus  humbly  begge  his  love.  (Y'  are  a  rogue,  Ritchard.) 

F.  RICHARD.  To  mectc  his  trewe  100 

And  most  vnfeigned  affec^tion,  heare  in  face 
And  viewe  ot  this  our  holly  brotherhoode, 
As  if  in  open  coort,  with  this  imbrace 

I  heare  confine  all  hatred.  (Jhon,  y'  are  a  Jack  sauce,  I  meane 
a  sawcye  Jacke.) 

F.  J  H  o  N .  The  orchard. 

FR.  RICHARD.  Theare. 

ABBOT.  Why,  this  is  as  it  should  bee,  and  beecomes  105 

A  trew  religious  order.  Such  as  are  sequestred 
And  vowed  vnto  a  strickt  monasticke  lyfe 
Ought  to  putt  off  these  grosse  and  prophane  sines 
Most  frequent  amongst  laye-men.  Vnity, 

Due  conformation,  and  fraternall  love;  mc 

Devotion,  hott  zeale,  and  obediens;  these 
Are  vertues  that  become  a  cloyster  best. 
Nowe  lett's  retyre  vnto  our  oresons 
And  praye  for  our  good  fownders;  may  they  still 
Growe  to  our  wishe  and  thryve  to  theire  owne  will.  115 

\_Cxeunt  all  but  friar  jhon.]] 

F.  J  H  o  N .  More  then  I  woold  to  have  my  wishe  on  thee, 
Ritchard,  though  I  have  a  good  stomacke  too't, 
Ey,  and  to  baste  thee  sowndlv,  I  woold  nowe 

103  imbrace]  mi  [?]  breath  B. 


46  The  Qaptives,  x^Aai. 

To  have  my  will  on  her.  'Tis  a  sweete  creature; 

Our  patron  owld,  shee  younge;  som  hope  in  that,  lao 

Besydes,  shee's  woondrous  kind  and  affable; 

And  when  we  duck  or  congee,  smiles  as  if 

Shee  tooke  som  pleasure  in  our  shaven  crownes.  ; 

I  am  the  fyrst  that  every  morninge,  when 

Shee  passes  through  the  cloyster  to  her  prayers,  125 

Attend  her  with  good  morrowe,  pray  for  her  health, 

For  her  content  and  pleasure,  such  as  canottbee 

Hop't  or  expected  from  her  husband's  age; 

And  these  my  frendly  wishes  shee  returnes 

Not  only  in  kind  languadge  but  sweete  smiles,  130 

The  least  of  which  breede  some  incoradgement. 

I  will,  if  shee  persist  to  proove  thus  kind. 

If  not  to  speake  my  thoughts,  to  wryte  my  mynd. 


ACTUS   PRIMUS 
SCENA  TERTIA 

'Thunder. 

Cnter,  after  a greate^  tempestuous  storme^  mr,  ashburne, 

an  English  mar  chanty  and  his  man^  Godfrey. 

ytSHBURNE.  Was  ever  knowne  such  a  tempestuous  night 
±\.  Of  thunder,  hayle,  wynd,  lightninge!  'Twas  as  if 
The  fower  seditious  brother^s^  thretned  warr. 
And  weare  but  nowe  at  battayle. 

GODFREY.  The  fower  winds,  you  meane;  blustringe  fellowes    s 

119  on]  one  B.  MS  J 


Scene  III.']  'The  Quptives,  47 

they  are.  Preye  God  all  bee  well  at  sea,  for  I  am  suer  the  roofes' 
tyles  and  ridges  have  payde  for  it  ashoar. 

ASHB.  The  very  rafters  of  the  howses  bend; 
Some  breake  and  are  demolisht;  barnes  blowne  downe; 
The  very  chimnyes  rattle  ore  our  heads;  lo 

The  strongest  buildinges  tremble  just  as,  if 
Theire  is  aboue  a  tempest,  so  beelovve 
There  weare  a  fearefuU  earth-quake. 

GODFREY.  All  our  howses 
Are  nothinge  nowe  but  windowes,  broad  bay  windowes 
So  spatious  that  carts  laded  may  drive  throughe  15 

And  neather  brush  o'th'  topp  or  eathere  syde. 
Lights  every  where,  wee  shall  have  lightnes  inoughe; 
Heare's  stupid  woork  for  daubers! 

ASHBURNE.  We  are  forest 
All  to  forsake  the  villadge  and  to  fly 
Vnto  the  feilds  for  succor. 

GODFREY.  Syr,  it  putt  me  jo 

In  minde  of  the  greate  King  Agathocles, 
Who  was,  as  I  have  heard  you  oft  relate, 
Brain'd  with  a  tyle.  Why  may  not  meaner  men, 
Then,  fearethe  fall  of  brick  batts? 

Snter  Raphael,  treadway,  and  the  c  l  o  w  n  e. 

TREAD  WAY.  A  Strange  night 
And  full  of  terror;  yet,  thanks  heaven,  well  past.  25 

RAPHAEL.  Oh,  but  I  feare  the  greater  storms  to  come, 
A  gust  that  will  more  shake  mee. 

CLOWNE.  More,quothe  hee;  I  can  scarce  see  howe  that  well  can 
bee,  for  I  can  assure  you  the  garrett  that  I  laye  in  putt  mee  in 
mind  of  myne  infancy,  for  I  lave  all  the  night  longe  as  if  I  had  30 
bin  rockt  in  a  cradle. 

16  brush]  loush  B.  30  laye]  lye  B. 


48  The  Qaptives,  x^Aa  i. 

R  A  PH.  Oh,  frend,  I  feare  this  false  and  perjur'd  slave, 
That  hathe  not  kept  apointment,  hath  deceiv'd  mee 
Boathe  of  my  coyne  and  pretious  marchandyse. 

CLOWNE.   Did  you  ever  looke  for  better  from  a  Judas  of  his  35 
heyCre]?  ; 

RAPH.  Which  if  hee  have — 

CLOWNE.  Why  then  heehathe,  and  the  mends  is  in  your  owne 
hands;  that's  all  that  I  can  saye  too't. 

RAPHAEL.  Hee  hathe  vndoon  mee  dubly. 

TREAD  WAY.  Hope  the  best.  4° 

Perhapps  the  threatninge  weather  kept  him  backe: 
Itt  was  a  trobled  skye,  the  soon  set  blushing, 
The  rack  cam  swiftly  rushing  from  the  west; 
And  these  presadges  of  a  future  storme, 

Vnwillinge  to  trust  her  tendernes  45 

Vnto  such  feares,  might  make  him  fayle  his  hower; 
And  yet  with  purpose  what  hee  slackt  last  night 
Nowe  to  make  goodd  this  morninge. 

RAPHAEL.  Oh  you  tent 
My  woonds  too  gently,  dally  with  my  dowbts, 
And  flutter  my  trewe  feares;  the  even  was  calme,  50 

The  skye  vntrobled,  and  the  soon  went  downe 
Without  disturbanc  in  a  temperate  ayer. 
No,  not  the  least  conjedlure  coold  bee  made 
Of  such  a  suddeine  storme,  of  which  the  woorld 
Till  after  midnight  was  not  sensible.  s^ 

His  hower  was  suppCer^  and  X\rC\  faylinge  that — 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  nowe  begin  I  to  feare  too  for  thee.  Breake  his 
woord  if  itt  bee  to  com  to  dinner  or  supper!  I'l  never  trust  his 
bond  for  the  valewe  of  a  threepenny  ordinarye  after. 

35  Judas  of  his  hey  [re]]  Judas  [?]  of  his  he[yre]  B.  45  to]  [for]  to  B. 

48  Nowe]  Howe  B. 


J 


Sane  iiij  The  Qaptives.  49 

RAPHAEL.  Post  you  back  to  the  citty ;  make  inquiry  60 

And  most  strickt  search  to  find  that  Mildewe  out; 
Whome  if  you  meete,  fyrst  rate  his  last  necledt, 
Then  hasten  his  repayer.  Heare  you  shall  finde  mee 
Or  in  the  waye  home;  for  in  all  this  villadge 

I  will  not  leave  a  howse,  a  place,  vnsearcht.  65 

If  where  hee  dwells  you  misse  him,  then  demande 
Att  every  key  what  shippinge  late  went  out. 
If  any  vowed  love  still  remane  betwixt  vs, 
Make  it  appeare  nowe  in  your  present  care 
And  expedition. 

TREAD,  ri  be  your  Mercury,  70 

Not  fayle  you  in  the  least. 

RAPHAELL.Andso  bectwixt  vs 
Increase  a  frendshipp  that  was  never  flawed. 

\^8xit  TREAD  WA Y.^ 

ASHBURNE.  I'his  gentleman,  itt  seemes,  hathe  in  this  tempest 
Sustein'd  som  losse,  hee  appeares  so  much  disturb'd. 

CLOWNE.  See,  syr,  heare  are  some  itt  may  beebeelonge  to  this  75 
villadge;  you  had  best  aske  of  them. 

RAPHAEL.  And  well  advys'd.  Hayle,  father! 

GODFREY.  No  more  hayle  if  you  love  mee ;  we  had  too  much 
of  that  last  night. 

ASHBURNE.  Of  what  sex  are  you  that  you  call  mee  so?  80 

I  have  bine  father  of  a  doughter  once. 
Though  not  these  many  yeares  blest  with  her  sight, 
.  But  of  a  soone  yet  never. 

RAPHAEL.  What  you  have  lost 
May  you  in  som  most  fayer  and  fortf^u^nate  hower 
Againe  find  to  your  comfort.  85 

60  inquiry]  inquiries  5.  67  key]  bey  B.  MS.} 

8  5  find]  A  corredion  in  the  MS.  for  recover. 


50  The  Qaptives,  [^Aa  l 

ASH.  You  wishe  well. 

RAPHAELL.  Sawc  you  nott  bowte  this  villadge  late  last  night, 
Or  early  nowe  i'  th'  morninge,  a  short  fellowe, 
Thin-heyr'd,  flat-nos'd,  sand-beareded,  and  squint-eyde? 

c  L  o  w  N  E .  The  mapp  of  misfortune  and  very  pidur  of  ill  luck. 

KAPHA.  Grosse  wasted,  gowty-legg'd.  90 

CLOWNE.  Whose  face  is  puft  vpp  lyke  a  bladder,  and  whose 
belly  lyke  a  toonne. 

RAPHAEL.  Owld,  graye,  and  hoary. 

CLOWNE.  And  withall  cheatinge,  cousininge,  and  crafty;  a  re- 
markeable  raskall,  a  damf^njable  deceaver,  and  a  most  substan-  95 
tiall  sinner. 

ASHBURNE.  By  such  I  have  much  suffred  in  my  state, 
Opprest  allmost  to  vtmost  penury 
In  my  once  better  fortune;  but  so  late 
I  sawe  not  any  such. 

RAPHAEL.  Hee  was  expected  100 

To  bee  attended  by  too  handsome  guirles, 
Boathe  yonge,  boathe  fayre,  but  th'  one  vnparrelpel;]'d; 
Neather  of  which  by  computation 
Hathe  told  so  hye  as  twenty. 

ASH  BUR.  If  such  I  chance  to  meete  by  accident,  105 

I'l  send  you  notyce.  Please  you  leave  your  name 
And  place  of  your  aboade. 

RAPHAEL.  Raphael,  I  am  cal'd, 
A  marchant  in  Marcellis,  and  my  lodginge 
Is  at  the  Parratt  in  the  markett-place; 
There  you  shall  finde  mee  knowne. 

ASHBURNE.  And  by  that  name  1 10 

Presume  I'l  not  forgett  you. 

93-96]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


Scene  1 11.'^  The  Qaptives.  5  i 

RAPHAELL.  FoT  which  curtesy, 
Fare  you  well,  syr; 

You  shall  ohlighe  mee  to  you.  If  not  heare 
Wee'le  seeke  her  further;  France  shall  not  conteine  them 
But  I  will  finde  theire  start-holes. 

ASHBURNE.  Good  speede  with  you.  "5 

CLO  WNE.  If  I  weare  a  dogge  nowe  and  coold  hunt  dry  foote,  I 
could  smell  them  out  presently. 

\_8xeunt  RAPHAEL  and  clow n.] 

ASH.  Come,  lett  vs  mo[;u]nt  our  selfes  vpon  these  rockes, 
And,  havinge  feelinge  of  our  hurts  at  land, 

Lett's  see  what  shyppes  have  bin  distrest  at  sea,  izo 

If  any  shaken  in  this  storme  or  wrackt; 
And  though  wee  cannot  help  the  miserable, 
QYet]  lett  them  taste  our  pittye. 

GODFREY.  Sir,  content;  but  I  hope  your  fishermen  have  not 
putt  to  sea  this  night.  If  they  have,  I  sweare  they  have  showed  i^s 
them-selves  much  madder  then  the  tempest. 

ASHBURNE.  I  hope  they  have  bin  more  discreate  and  wyse 
Then  with  the  hazard  of  my  boates  and  netts 
To  indanger  theire  owne  lyves. 

GODF.  See!  do  you  see,  syr? 

AS  HBUR.  What? 

GODF.  Why,  yonder. 

ASHBURNE.  Where?  13° 

GODF.  There  towards  yon  shore. 

A  SHB.  A  shipp  laboringe  for  lyfe, 
Nowe  cast  vpon  the  rocks,  nowe  splitt,  nowe  sinkinge, 
Nowe  dasht  to  peeces. 

GODFREY.  I  see  all  mis^c^heifes  do  not  com  by  land, 
Som's  doone  vpon  the  water. 

I  1 3-1  I  7]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS.         i  14  them]  this  MS. 


52  The  Qaptives,  X^Aa  i. 

ASHBURNE.  Though  thcire  goods  perishe,  135 

Yet  in  thy  mercy,  heaven,  protedl  theire  lyves. 
Som  sitt  vpon  the  planks,  som  on  the  masts, 
Som  hange  vpon  the  cables,  and  som  few 
Have  only  gott  the  cock-boate;  others  swimme.  ; 

Oh  that  wee  shoold  beehold  theire  misery,  140 

And  want  power  to  assiste  them! 

GODFREY.  Sure,  syr,  it  was  som  shipp  of  passengers, 
For  see  you  not  too  women?  Daynty  ducks! 
Would  they  coold  swime  as  ducks  can.  Look  how  they  sprall 
And  cast  theire  legges  abroad  lyke  naked  frogges!  hs 

See  how  they  spread  theire  armes  and  stryve  for  lyfe! 
I  woold  I  weare  som  dolphin  or  some  whayle 
That  they  might  sitt  astryde  vpon  my  backe 
To  beare  them  safe  ashore;  but  I  as  yet 

Coold  neare  indure  still  water.  See  yet  still,  15° 

Still  theire  coates  beare  them  vpp,  keepe  them  aloft; 
The  modest  ayer  not  willinge  to  discover 
That  which  the  bawdy  waves  shame  not  beelowe 
Rudely  to  lifte  and  handle. 

ASHBURNE.  Blcsse  them,  heaven! 
The  wind  and  tyde  still  beate  them  towards  the  shore,  15s 

But  oh  that  cursed  billowe  hathe  devyded 
And  parted  them  asunder.  Yet  all's  well; 
They  still  beare  vpp.  If  they  but  scape  the  next, 
There  may  bee  hope  of  safetye. 

GODF.  One's  driven  this  way, 
The  tother  that.  The  men  shift  for  them  selves;  160 

Howe  shall  wee  save  thes  women? 

ASHB.  No  meanes  vnlesse  we  leape  downe  from  the  rockes, 

1 44  Look  how  they  sprall]  see  how  they  spread  B. 
1 47- 1  50]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


Sce;,eiii.'2  The  Qaptives.  53 

And  that's  meare  desperation.  Yet  to  showe 

Our  charityes  to  wretches  thus  extreame, 

Lett's  see  if  wee  can  find  the  least  discent  165 

And  hasten  to  theire  suckor. 

GODFR.  By  your  favour, 
I  had  rather  they  with  brine  shoold  breake  their  bellys 
Then  I  my  neck  with  clambringe.  \^ExeuntP}^ 

EXPLICIT   ACTUS    PR. 
1 68  \exeunt.\  Om.  B. 


(i£*\^  «C*}*  «C*^d  ^r\^  ar^^  <ic\^  ftr*%d  ^c*\^ 

.•AA«.  •JrSf.  •J:Xk  •Jt?<*.  .•inv*.  .•fcv«.  .•inV«.  .•/nv« 

^^\2r*'  •VX«'  •V^«'  •V^«'  •X^*  •MY*' '•MY«  •M2/^« 

ewM  eWx9  eW^  «CJ9  eCJ^  pCj^  ^Cj^  ^Q^ 


ACTUS   SECUNDUS 

SCENA   PRIMA 

Siorme  contynewed.  Cnter  f  a  l  e  s  t  r  a  ,  «//  wett,  as 
newly  shipwracke  and  escapt  i  he  fury  of  the  seas. 

PALESTRA.  Is  this,  then,  the  reward  of  innocence, 
Of  goodness,  to  our  selfes,  namely  chast  lyfe, 
Pietye  to  our  parents,  love  to  all. 
And,  aboue  all,  our  Christian  zeale  towards  heaven? 
But  why  shoold  wee  poore  wretches  thus  contest  5 

Against  the  powers  aboue  vs  when  even  they 
That  are  the  best  amongst  vs  are  serv'd  badd? 
Alas,  I  never  yet  wrong'd  man  or  child. 
Woman  or  babe;  never  supplanted  frend 

Or  sought  revendge  vpon  an  enemy.  lo 

You  see  yet  howe  we  suffer;  howe  shall  they,  then. 
That  false  theire  faythes,  that  are  of  vncleane  lyfe. 
And  then  not  only  sinne  vnto  them  selves, 
But  tempt  and  persuade  others?  What  shall  I  thinke 
Becoms  of  my  base  guardien?  Though  the  waves  15 

Have  spared  the  guiltles,  suer  his  putrid  s[;ouleJ 
Canot  escape  heaven's  justyce!  Wee  poore  wretches 
Are  punisht  for  his  grosse  impietyes; 
They  moov'd  heaven's  wrathe,  who  stir'd  the  wynds  &  waves, 

zvett\  well  B.  shipzvracke\  shipzvreckd  B, 

8-32]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 
1 8  punisht]  punishe  MS. 

ss 


56  The  Qapti'ves,  ^Aa  11. 

Stryvinge  whose  fury  shoold  destroy  vs  fyrst.  ao 

These  boathe  conspyringe  in  our  ruin,  th'  one 

Beate  vs  beelowe  the  billowes  whylst  the  other 

Swallowed  boathe  shippe  and  goodds,  amongst  the  rest 

A  budget,  or  portmantua,  which  included 

All  the  bawde's  wealth.  But  that  weare  nothinge  to  mee  25 

Though  hee  had  vowed  and  sworne  to  make  mee  his  heyer; 

The  losse  I  so  lament  is  a  small  caskett 

Kept  by  him  from  my  childhood,  and  packt  vp 

Amongst  his  treasure;  and  that  perishinge, 

I  forfett  the  longe  expe6tation  30 

Ever  to  knowe  my  parents,  there-fore  wishe 

With  it  I  had  i'th'  sea  bin  buried. 

Enter  scribonia. 
scRiBONiA.  With  perill  of  oft  fallinge  and  the  danger 
Of  second  deathe,  havinge  new  scapt  the  fyrst, 
I  have  with  feare  and  terror  clim'd  these  rocks,  35 

And  these  too  past,  I  feare  to  meete  a  thyrd. 
I  spy  no  howse,  no  harbor,  meete  no  creature 
To  point  mee  to  som  shelter;  there-fore  heare 
Must  starve  by  famine  or  expire  by  could. 

O'  th'  sea  the  whystlinge  winds  still  threaten  wracke,  40 

And  flyinge  nowe  for  refuge  to  the  lande. 
Find  nought  save  desolation.  Though  these  three. 
Three  dreadfull  deathes  all  spare  mee,  yeat  a  fowerth, 
I  can  not  shoone  in  my  Palestrae's  losse. 

More  deare  to  mee  then  all  the  world  besydes,  4.5 

For  the  best  bloodd  of  myne  ranne  in  her  veynes, 
This  lyfe  breathe  in  her  boosom.  Oh  my  Palestra! 

24  included]  includes  B.  40  wracke]  wreckes  B, 

45]  Scored  through  in  MS.  46  ranne]  runns  B. 


Scene  I."}  The  Qaptives.  57 

PALESTRA.  Numnes  and  feare,  hungar  and  sollitude, 
Besydes  mv  casket  my  Scribonia's  losse — 
All  these  at  one  afflidt  mee. 

scRiB.  Nothinge  mee  5° 

More  then  Palestra's  death.  Ha,  who's  that  spake? 
Suer  'twas  som  woman's  voyce!  If  my  Palestra, 
Only  for  her  sake  I  coold  wishe  to  live. 

PAL.  Then  lyve,  my  deere  Scribonia,  synce  I  am  only 
Spar'd  to  pertake  with  thee  newe  miseryes.  55 

SCRIB.  Scarce  can  1  bee  perswaded  you  are  shee; 
But,  bee  yt  but  her  shadowe,  giue  mee  leave 
For  her  remembrance  to  imbrace  it  thus. 

PALEST.  These  armes  att  one  locke  all  my  lyvinge  hopes 
In  my  reserv'd  Scribonia. 

scRiBo.  Nowe  I  perceave  60 

My  comfort  is  not  meare  imadginary 
But  reall  and  effedtiall.  Lyve  you  then? 

PALEST.  To  triumphe  in  your  safety. 

scRiB."  Possible 
That  mongst  these  desert  vnfreq  [^u]  ented  rocks 
Thou  can  imadgine  such  a  thing  can  bee  65 

As  that  which  you  call  safety  ? 

PALESTRA.  Yes,  Scribonia, 
And  comfort  too;  for,  see,  I  spye  a  villadge, 
A  maner  and  a  fayre  built  monastery. 
Just  att  the  foott  of  this  descendinge  hill. 

And  where,  if  not  amongst  religious  men,  70 

Shoold  wee  find  that's  call'd  charity  ? 

SCRIB.  Thether,  then, 
Lett  vs  make  hast  with  all  the  speede  wee  can: 

60  reserv'd]  restored  B.  (See  note.)  68  built]  build  MS. 

7  2]  Scored  through  in  MS. 


58  The  Qaptives.  \^Aa  il 

Fyre  att  the  least  I  hope  it  will  afFoord, 
Besydes  releife  and  harbor. 

PAL.  Canyoubegge? 

SCR  IB.  What  will  not  rude  necessity  compell  75 

Distressed  folke  to  doo?  Wee'l  not  doo't  basely, 
For  beinge  brought  vpp  to  musick  and  to  sing, 
Demandinge  in  that  kind  there  charity, 
And  they  perceivinge  vs  much  better  bred 

Then  these  our  present  fortunes  might  deserve,  80 

May  move  in  them  compassions. 

PALEST.  Lett's  retyre 
To  the  backe  gate  then,  there  complane  our  wants. 
And  that  which  others  doo  with  impudence 
Lett  vs  in  shame  and  blushes. 

scRiB.  Som  sweete  echo 
Speake  from  these  walls  and  answer  to  our  wants,  85 

And  eather  lend  som  comfort  to  our  greifes. 
Or  send  vs  hence  dispayringe  and  asham'd. 

XjI'hey  go  in. 

PAL.  Oh  charity,  where  art  thou  fledd, 
And  no  we  how  longe  hast  thou  bin  dead? 

ANSWER  WITHIN.  Oh  many,  many,  many  hondred  yeares.     9° 

SCR  IB.  In  villadge,  borrough,  towne,  or  citty 
Remaines  there  yet  no  grace,  no  pitty? 

ANS.  Not  in  sighes,  not  in  want,  not  in  teares. 

PAL.  Cold  comfort  in  this  answer;  but  proceede. 
Aboue  we  see  a  threatninge  sky.  95 

A  N  s  w  E .  Beelowe  the  winds  and  gusts  blowe  hye, 
And  all,  all  to  fright  hence  this  same  juell. 

scRiB.  The  lightninges  blast,  the  thunders  crack. 
The  billowes  menace  nought  save  wracke. 

73  it  will  aiFoordl  it  [is?]  well  assured  B. 


Scene  I. "j^  'The  Cciptives,  59 

ANSW.  &  yet  man  is  then  these  much  more  crewell.  loo 

PAL.  Vnless  my  judgment  quite  miscarry, 
Shee  may  lyve  in  som  monastery, 

ANSW.  'Tis  a  place  too  that  was  fyrst  assign'd  her. 

SCR  IB.  If  not  amongst  religious  men, 
Yett  where,  where  shall  we  seeke  her  then?  105 

ANSW.  Yet  even  there,  there,  you  scarce,  scarce  can  find  her. 

PALEST.  It  chastity  and  innocens  tryde 
Have  boathe  escaped  wind  and  tvde — 

ANS.  Yet,  oh,  why  should  the  land,  land  these  cherish? 

SCR  IB.  Ofwhome  even  billowes  have  a  care,  no 

Whome  seas  preserve,  whome  tempests  spare — 

ANS.  Yet  these,  these  amongst  men  may  perishe. 

PALESTRA.  Vncharitable  echo!  From  a  place 
Of  pure  devotion  canst  thou  answer  that? 

If  not  in  these  religious  monestaryes,  115 

In  what  place  can  wee  find  could  charity? 

SCR  I  BON  I  A.  Where  ere  wee  meete  her,  shee  is  lyke  our  selfes. 
Bare,  without  harbor,  weake  and  comfortles. 
Cnter  fryer  jhon. 

F.  JHON.  What  singinge  beggers  weare  those  at  the  gate 
That  would  so  early  rowse  our  charity,  120 

Before  it  was  half  styrringe  or  awake? 

£nt.   FRYER    RICHARD. 

I  thinke  I  answer'd  them  in  such  a  key 
As  I  beeleeve  scarce  pleas'd  them. 

F.  RICHARD.  What  sweete  musick 
Was  that  at  the  back  gate  hath  cal'd  mee  vpp 
Somwhat  beefore  my  hower? 

105  seeke]  A  correSiion  in  MS.  for  find. 

I  10  billowes]  J  correSlion  in  MS.  for  tempests. 

I  22  key]  way  B. 


6o  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  ii. 

F.  JHON.  Morrow,  Fryar  Richard;  las 

Howe  did  you  lyke  our  last  night's  buffetinge? 
Whylst  all  the  rest  of  our  fraternity 
In  feare  of  that  greate  tempest  weare  att  prayers, 
We  too  pickt  out  that  tyme  of  least  suspition. 
And  in  the  orchard  hand  to  hand  weare  att  it.  13° 

F.  RICHARD.  'Tis  trew  for  blooddy  noses;  and,  Fryar  J  ho  n. 
As  you  lyke  that  which  is  allredy  past, 
So  chalendge  mee  hereafter.  But  whence  came 
Those  sweete  and  delicate  voyces? 

FRYARJOHN.  I  bare  part 
In  theire  sadd  quire,  though  none  of  these  yet  knov/'t.  135 

But  peace:  our  father  abbat. 

Enter  the  abbot,  with  other  fryar  s. 

ABBOT.  Morrow,  soonns; 
An  early  blessinge  on  you,  if  as  the  larke 
Ryson  betymes  still  to  salute  the  soon, 
So  your  devotion  pluckes  you  from  your  bedds 
Before  your  hower  vnto  your  orisons.  140 

Did  you  not  heare  a  musicall  complaynt 
Of  women  that  in  sadd  and  mournefuU  tones 
Bewayl'd  theire  late  desasters,  harshly  answer'd 
By  a  churlish  echo? 

F.  JHON.  Some  such  thinge  wee  heard. 

F.  RICHARD.  The  noates  still  persist  \yy  with  mee. 

PALESTRA.  There  appeares  145 

In  his  grave  lookes  boathe  zeale  and  charity; 
Lett's  to  his  sight  boldly  expose  our  selfes. 
Hayle,  reverent  father! 

ABBOTT.  What  are  you,  poore  soules. 
Thus  wett  and  wether-bitt.'' 


Scene  I.'}  The  Qaptives,  6i 

scRiBONiA.  Ere  you  demand 
Further  from  vs,  left's  tast  your  Christian  charity.  ,50 

Som  fyare,  som  harboure,  least  ere  our  sadd  tale 
Be  fully  tould  wee  perishe. 

ABBOT.  Why,  whence  came  you ? 

PALESTRA.  From  sea;  our  shipp  last  night  in  the  great  storme 
Cast  on  these  rocks  and  splitt;  this  the  fyrst  place 
Expos'd  vnto  our  eyes  to  begge  releif.  iss 

But,  oh,  I  faynt. 

ABBOT.  Some  faggotts  instantly; 
Hott  brothes,  hott  water  for  them,  and  warme  cloathes. 
Whome  the  high  powers  miraculously  preserve, 
Whome  even  the  merciles  waves  have  borne  ashore, 
Shall  wee  see  sinke  a  land?  Even  wee  our  seltes  160 

That  lyve  and  eate  by  others'  charity. 
To  others  shall  not  wee  bee  charitable? 
All  succor,  all  supply  that  can  bee  giuen. 
They  from  our  hands  shall  tast. 

F.J  HON.  Shall  wee  remove  them 
Into  the  cloyster? 

F.  RICHARD.  'Tis  agay  nst  our  oath  165 

On  any,  though  the  great'st,  extremity 
To  addmitt  weomen  thether. 

ABBOTT.  That  I  knowe; 
&  yet  in  som  out-office  see  them  chear'd, 
Want  nothinge  that  the  cloyster  can  affourd. 
Theire  bewtyes,  though  my  eye  be  bleynd  att  them,  17° 

Deserve  no  lesse;  I  looke  on  theire  distresse. 
And  that  I  pitty.  Ech  one  lend  a  hand 
To  take  off  from  theire  present  misery 

I  56,  I  57  Some  .  .  .  clothes.]  Scored  through  in  MS. 
160  see]  soe  B.  168  &]  Om.  B. 


62  The  Qaptives,  x^Aaii. 

And  ease  theire  tender  shoulders;  when  they  are  cheer'd 

And  better  comforted,  I'l  finde  occatione  17s 

To  enquire  further  from  them. 

PALESTRA.  Heaven  be  as  kind 
To  you  as  you  to  vs ! 

ABBOTT.  Feare  not,  fayre  damselles; 
This  place,  though  not  within  the  monastery. 
Yet  stands  within  the  cloyster's  priviledge. 
And  shal  bee  vnto  you  a  sandluary.  180 

scRiBONiA.  No  other  wee  exped:  it. 

ABBOTT.  Guide  them  in:  \^ellrung. 

Bewty  and  youthe  to  pitty  'tis  no  sinne. 

\JSxeunt  PALESTRA  ^2«<^  SCRIBONIA.] 

1'he  bell  ringes  to  mat  tens.  Enter  the  lord  de  averne  and 
his  LADY,  DENNIS  and  others. 
F.  jHON.  Harke,  the  bell  ringes  to  mattens. 
F.  RICH.  See  withall 
Our  noble  patroon  with  his  lovely  lady 

Prepar'd  for  theire  devotion.  Nowe,  Fryar  Jhon,  185 

Your  leatcherous  ey  is  conninge. 
F.  J  H  o  N.  I  knowe  my  place. 
ABBOTT.  Way  for  our  noble  fownder! 
L.  AVERNE.  Morro we,  father; 
So  to  the  rest  of  all  the  brotherhoodd. 

\jrhe  quire  and  musick;  the  fryar s  make 
a  lane  with  ducks  and  obeysance. 
V  o  YCE  s.  Te  tuosque  semper,  oh  semper  beamus, 
Et  salvos  vos  venisse,  O  venisse  gaudeamus.  190 

F.  JHON.  Good  day  to  our  fayre  fowndresse! 
LADY.  Mercy,  Fryar  Jhon; 

182  \£xeunt  palestra  ^7;/^  scribonia.]]  Om.  B. 
185  Prepar'd]  Prepare  B. 


Scene  II.']  The  Qaptivcs,  63 

Aboue  the  rest  you  are  still  dutifull, 
For  which  wee  kindly  thanke  you. 

[[6'a[]c'//]«/,-  manet  john, 
F.  J  H  o  N.  Kindly  thanke  you ! 
Nay,  smil'd  with-all!  Allthough  that  I  have  more 
Then  a  monthe's  mind  to  these  yonge  harletryes,  19s 

Yet  heare's  the  grovynd  on  which  I  fyrst  must  build 
And  rayse  my  fortunes  many  storyes  hye. 
Nay,  I  perhapps,  ere  they  can  drye  there  smocks. 
Will  putt  th'  affayre  in  motion,  whyle  these  are 
Att  soUeme  mattens.  I'l  take  pen  and  wryte,  aoo 

And  sett  my  mind  downe  \\rC\  so  quaint  a  stray ne 
Shall  make  her  laughe  and  tickle,  whylst  I  laugh 
And  tickle  with  the  thought  on't,  still  presuminge 
These  lookes,  these  smyles,  these  favours,  this  sweete  languag 
Coold  never  breathe  butt  have  theire  byrthe  from  love.  205 

But  how  to  ha'tt  delivered?  There's  the  dowbt. 
Tush,  I  have  plott  for  that  too;  hee,  no  question. 
That  sett  mee  on  to  compasse  this  mv  will 
Maye,  when  the  up-shoote  comes,  assist  mee  still.         C<^'i'^^-I] 

ACTUS  SECUNDUS 
SCENA  SECUNDA 

\jremfest;  thunder. 
Enter  1  fishermen. 

I  PIS  HER.  The  trobled  sea  is  yet  scarce  navigable 
Synce  the  last  tempest;  yet  wee  that  only  lyv 
By  our  owne  sweett  and  laboure,  nor  cann  eate 

197  rayse]  ryse  B.  storyes]  steepes  B.  {See  noie.^ 


64  The  Qaptives,  ^ja  11. 

Before  wee  fetch  our  foode  out  of  the  sea, 

Must  venter  thoughe  with  danger,  or  bee  suer  5 

With  empty  stomakes  go  vnsupt  to  bedd. 
2  FISHER.  And  so  it  often  happens. 

1  FISHER.  See  the  cordadge 

Be  stronge  and  tight,  the  netts  with  all  theire  stringes, 

Plometts,  and  corks,  well  pla6t;  for  hookes  and  bates — 

This  daye  wee  shall  have  little  vse  of  them.  10 

The  wind's  still  hye;  beare  but  a  gentle  sayle. 

And  hazard  not  the  channell.  Keepe  alonge 

Close  by  the  shoare;  the  rocks  will  shelter  vs, 

And  may  perhapps  afford  vs  lobsters,  praunes. 

Shrimps,  crabbes,  and  such  lyke  shell  fishe.  Heare  we  may  15 

Hunt  the  sea  vrchin,  and  with  safety  too; 

There's  many  holde  him  for  a  dayntye  fishe; 

Hee  sells  well  in  the  markett.  That  poore  men 

Are  ford;  too,  for  a  slender  competens, 

A  little  to  prolonge  a  wretched  lyfe!  20 

2  FISHE  R.  Com  then,  lett  vs  weighe  anchor  and  aboord; 
The  soonne  is  vpp  allredy. 

8nter  the  clowne. 
CLOWNE.  If  ever  menn  weare  madd,  then  suer  my  mayster  is 
not  well  in  his  witts,  and  all  about  this  wenshe;  here's  such  send- 
inge  and  seekinge,  hurringe  and  postinge,  and  all  to  no  purpose.  25 
I  have  nowe  some  thyrty  errands  to  deliver,  and  knowe  not  to 
whome  nor  where,  what  nor  to  which  place  fyrst;  hee's  gone  on 
to  the  citty  and  sent  mee  back  to  the  villadge,  whither  his  frend 
travel'd  one  waye,  hee  another,  and  I  a  thyrd  contrary  from  them 
boathe;  he  cannott  beleeve  his  inquiry  to  be  well  doone,  but  hee  3° 
must  send  mee  to  doo't  over  againe.  I  have  askt  all  I  mett  and 

1  5  Heare]  hence  B.  i  5-20  Heare  .  .  .  lyfe  !]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 

28-33  whither  .  .  .  people]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


Scene  11.-^  'The  QuptivCS,  65 

demanded  of  all  I  have  seen,  only,  for  ought  I  can  perceive,  all 
to  no  purpose.  I  can  vnderstand  of  no  such  people.  But  what  are 
these?  Though  they  have  slipt  vs,  no  creature  shall  slippe  mee. 
These  should  bee  fishermen.  Good  niorrowe,  you  sea  theeves.  35 

I  FISHER.  You  call  vs  theeves  that  may  proove  honester 
Then  many  goe  for  trewe  men  on  the  shore. 

CLOW.   Sawe  you  not  passe  this  waye  an  ould,  bald  tellowe, 
hutch-shoulder'd,  crooked  nos'd,  beetle  brow'd,  with  a  visadge 
lowringe  and  a  looke  skoolinge;  one  that  heaven  hates  and  ev-  40 
ery  good  man  abhorrs;  a  cheatinge  raskall  and  an  vgly  slave, 
— did  none  such  passe  you? 

1  FISHER.  If  such  a  one  as  you  describe  you  inquire  for, 
Mee  thinks,  my  frend,  thou  hast  mistooke  thy  way. 

Thou  shouldst  have  sought  him  at  the  gallowes  rather;  45 

There  such  are  soonest  fownd. 

c  LOW  N  E .  Berlady,  worst  answered  of  a  play  ne  fellowe  ;but  that 
you  may  knowe  him  the  better,  hee  had  too  handsom,  swete, 
smugge-fac't  lasses  in  his  companye. 

2  FISHER.  And  for  such  creatures  y' had  best  search  the  stewes  5° 
r  th'  citty ;  this  our  villadge  yeilds  none  such. 

This  fellowe  doth  butt  flowte  vs;  lett's  aboord. 

I  FISHER.  Inquire  for  vs  ofwenshes?  Tush,  wee  fishe 
For  no  such  perewinkles.  Fare  well,  flesh  monger. 

[[6^A,".  fish[]ermen.[] 

CLOWNE.  No  woonder  these  fellowes  pretend  to  bee  witty;  55 
for  vnderstandinge,  so  manye  have  lost  there  witts  (as  . . .  they 

32-35  seen  .  .  .  These]  seene.   But  what  are  theese?  these  B. 

32-34  only  .  .  .  mee]  Printed  by  B.  as  foot-note.  n  1  can]  but  B. 

34  Though  .  .  .  mee]  Scored  through  in  MS. 

34  these?  Though  they  have]  these  things  that  have  B. 

34  creature]  countrie  B.  38  waye]  [way]  B. 

42  none]  note  B.  48  swete  smugge-tac't]  streete-singing-faft  B. 

51  rth']0'th'  B. 


66  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  ii. 

have  fisht  for  it  and  in  som  drawenett  or  other  have  caught  it. 
But  where  might  these  lost  shrewes  bee?  I  susped:  this  pestifer- 
ous Je  vous  prie  hathe  putt  some  slovenly  tricke  or  other  to 
cheate  my  mayster  boathe  of  his  ware  and  mony.  60 

Snter  scribonia,  with  an  empty  pale  ^  to  y'  clow[^n]. 

SCRIBONIA.  Thus  beeinge  chered  with  warmth  and  change 
of  clothes, 
With  all  such  comforts  as  the  cloyster  yeilds, 
I  am  dyredted  to  a  neighbour's  by 
For  water  to  refreshe  and  wash  our  selves. 
And  this  shoold  bee  the  howse. 

CLo  WNE.  What!  not  Scribonia,  65 

One  of  the  flock  that's  missinge? 

scRiBO.  Oh  sweete  Jayms, 
Where  is  your  noble  maister? 

CLO  WNE.  Nay,  sweete  rogue, 
Where  is  his  bewteous  mystresse? 

scRiB.  Heare  within. 

CLOWNE.  In  this  place joyninge  to  the  monastary? 
And  Mildewe  too? 

SCRIB.  Rott  on  that  villeine!  No.  70 

CLOWNE. Hee  promist  to  bringe  you  too  alonge  and  meete  with 
my  master  and  som  others  of  his  frends  att  supper. 

SCRIB.  Can  such  men,  ever  false  vnto  theire  God, 
Keepe  faythe  with  men  at  any  tyme? 

CLOWNE.  But  staye,  staye;  there's  one  riddle  I  canott  ex-  7S 
pound.  Howe  com  thou  so  suddenly  to  lepp  out  of  a  howse  of 
roguery  into  a  howse  of  religion,  from  a  stewes  to  a  cloyster,  from 
beastliness  to  blessednes,  and  from  a  sacriligious  place  to  a  sanc- 
tuary ? 

SCRIB.  Such  was  the  grace  heaven  lent  vs,  who  from  perill,      80 

80  lent]  sent  B. 


Sffnc^  II.'}  The  Qaptives,  67 

Danger  of  lyfe,  the  extream'st  of  all  extreames, 
Hathe  brought  vs  to  the  happy  patronadge 
Of  this  most  reverent  abbott. 

c  L o  w  N  E .  What  dangers  ?  what  extreames  ? 

SCRIB.    From  the  sea's  fury,  drowninge;  for  last  night  85 

Our  shipp  was  splitt,  wee  cast  vpon  these  rocks. 

CLOWNE.  Saydin  a  jest,  indeede!  Shipp-wrack  by  land!  I  per- 
ceive you  tooke  the  woodden  waggen  for  a  shipp,  the  violent 
rayne  for  the  sea,  and  bycause  some  one  of  the  wheeles  broake 
and  you  cast  into  some  water  plash,  you  thought  the  shipp  had  9° 
splitt  and  you  had  bin  in  danger  of  drowninge. 

SCRIB.  Are  you  then  ignorant  howe,  late  in  the  even. 
With  purpose  to  make  better  sale  of  vs 
And  to  defraude  thy  maister,  hee  shipt  vs 

With  all  the  gold  and  Jewells  that  hee  had,  95 

All  which  save  wee  are  perisht? 

CLOWNE.  But  that  caterpiller,  that  ould  catamiting  canker 
worme,  what's  become  of  him? 

SCRIB.  Dead  I  hope,  with  drinkinge  of  salt-water. 

CLOWNE.  I  would  all  of  his  profession  had  pledged  him  theioo 
same  healthe.  But  howe  doth  Palestra  take  this? 

SCRIB.  Gladd  to  bee  ridd  of  such  a  slavery, 
Yet  sadly  weepinge  for  her  caskett's  losse, 
That  which  included  ample  testimony 
Bothe  of  her  name  and  parents.  105 

CLOWNE.  All  her  ill  luck  go  with  it!  I'l  fyrst  in  and  see  her, 
bycause  I  will  bee  suer  'tis  shee.  Oh,  Mercury,  that  I  had  thy 
winges  tyde  to  my  heeles.  Heere  will  bee  simple  newes  to  bringe 
to  my  mayster  when  hee  hears  she  hathe  bin  shipp-wracke!  I'l 
make  him  beleeve  I  went  a  fishinge  tor  her  to  sea,  and  eatherno 

88  shipp]  shipp  and  MS.  B.  (and  scored  through  in  MS.). 
106-108  ri  .  .  .  heeles.]  Scored  through  in  MS. 


68  The  Qaptives.  x^Aa  ii. 

drewe  her  ashore  in  my  netts,  or,  batinge  my  hooke,  strooke  her 
and  drewe  her  vpp  by  the  gills  with  myne  angle.  Make  you  hast, 
for  V\  stay  till  you  com  back.  []6!vz/.]] 

scRiB.  But  this  delaye  had  allmost  putt  mee  from 
What  I  was  sent  about;  yes,  this  the  place.  [].^^of^j.  115 

Enter  g  o  d  f  r  . 

Qgodf.]  Whoe's  that  that  offers  violens  to  these  gates 
That  never  yet  offended?  What  want  you  ? 

SCRIB.  That  which  the  earth 
Dothe  forbidd  none,  but  freely  yeilds  to  all, 
A  little  fay  re  springe  water. 

GOD  F. — One  of  those  guides  120 

Belyke  this  morninge  shippwrackt  and  nowe  scapt, 
A  dainty  peece  of  mayde's  fleshe.  Such  sweete  bitts 
Are  not  heare  often  swallowed,  and  my  mouth 
Waters  at  this  fine  morsell. 

SCRIB.  Water,  frend; 
'Tis  that  I  crave,  for  heaven  sake.  125 

GODF.  We  have  none 
Of  guift,  vnless  you  by't. 

SCRIBON.  Will  you  sell  that 
The  earthe  affoords  you  gratis,  and  sett  pryse 
Of  what  a  foe  woold  yeild  an  enemy? 

GODF.  Not,  prety  lasse,  so  thou'lt  afford  mee  that. 
Freely  and  without  bargen,  which  not  only  130 

One  frend  will  to  another  but  oft  tymes 
A  stranger  to  a  stranger. 

SCRIB.  What's  that,  prithee? 

GODFRY.  Only  a  kisse,  sweete  wensh. 

SCRIB.  Ye  are  too  familiar; 

1 1  5  this]  this  is  5.  119  but]  and  B. 

125  heaven]  heaven's  B. 


Scene  11.'^  "The   QuptivCS,  69 

ri  by  none  at  that  pryse.  Or  fill  my  pale, 
Or  V\  returne  back  empty. 

GO DF.  Well,  for  once  '3S 

I  will  not  greatly  stand  out,  yet  in  hope 
That  what  att  our  fyrst  meetinge  you'l  not  grant 
You'l  not  denye  at  partinge;  reatch  thy  pale. 

SCR  I  BO.  Quick,  as  you  love  mee. 

GODF.  As  you  love  mee!  right; 
Who  ever  lov'd  that  lov'd  not  att  fyrst  sight?  140 

The  poet's  exellent  sayinge.  \_8xit  to  draw  water r\ 

SCR  IB.  What  shall  I  saye  or  howe  shall  I  excuse 
This  my  longe  staye?  But  nowe  I  cast  myne  eyes 
Back  on  the  roughe  yet  vnappeased  seas; 

I  quake  to  thinke  vpon  our  dangers  past.  145 

But  see  the  fearefull  objed  of  a  death 
More  menacinge  and  affrightfull,  a  sea  monster 
Cast  from  the  deepes  to  swallowe  vs  ashore! 
Malevolent  fate  and  black  desaster  still 
Pursues  vs  to  all  places,  but  of  all  '5° 

£nt.  MYLDEW  i^  sARLABOYEs  to  her. 
This,  this  the  greatest,  and  to  this  one  compar'd 
All  that  are  past  but  trifles.  Oh  that  grand  master 
Of  mechall  lusts,  that  bulke  of  brothelree, 
That  stillary  of  all  infectious  sinnes, 

Hathe  scapt  the  wrack,  and  with  his  fellowe  guest  iss 

And  partner  in  corruption  make[;s]  this  waye, 
And  with  no  tarde  pace.  Where  shall  I  hyde  mee? 
Whether  shall  I  fly?  I'l  to  Palestra  back, 
And  with  this  sadd  relation  kill  her  quite 

That's  scarce  recovered!  Rather  you  hy  powers,  160 

Then  to  prolonge  ourgreifes,  shorten  our  bowers.     ]^8xeuntr[ 
158  ri]  Om.  B.  161  [exeunt]]  [Cxit]  B. 


70  'The  Qaptives,  i^Aa  ii. 

Snter  Godfrey,  \_with^  water. 
GODF.  Where  is  my  daynty  damosella?  where? 
Mee  thought  the  water  mett  mee  the  halfway 
And  lept  vpp  full  three  stepps  to  meete  my  pale. 
This  'tis  whenas  a  man  goes  willingly  165 

About  his  busines.  Howe  fresh  a  kisse  will  tast 
From  her  whyte  lipps!  And  every  part  besydes 
From  head  to  toe  have  bin  so  lately  duckt 
And  rincht  in  the  salt  water.  Where's  my  sweete? 
Not  heare?  no  where?  why,  hoe,  my  whytinge  mopp  170 

Late  scapt  from  feedinge  haddocks!  ha,  what,  gone? 
Nay  then,  go  thou  too  that  shee  sent  mee  for, 
To  him  that  next  shall  find  thee!  Yet  not  so; 
This  learned  pale  instructs  mee  by  these  letters 
That  it  beelonges  vnto  this  monastery.  175 

And  if  it  shoold  be  lost  by  my  default, 
I  may  bee  chardg'd  with  theft  or  sacrilidge. 
No,  ri  deliver  it  to  the  owners  suer. 
And  this  the  place.  [[6x/V.)] 

ACTUS   SECUNDUS 
SCENA   TERTIA 

£nter  the  bawde  mildewe  and  sarlaboyse. 

MILDEW.  Hee  that  woold  stooddy  to  bee  miserable, 
Lett  him  forsake  the  land  and  putt  to  sea. 
What  widging,  that  hathe  any  voyce  att  all, 

Enter  Godfrey  \with\  water. ^  Scored  through  in  MS.   Om.  B. 
162-179]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 

179  And  .  .  .  place.]  A  substitution  in  MS.  for  the  following  lines,  which  have 
been  scored  through: 

And  not  deteine,  for  feare't  bee  to  my  cost. 
Though  boath  my  kisse  and  all  my  paynes  be  lost. 

179  [£V//.]  ]  Om.  B.  ACTUS  SECUNDUS  SCENA  tertia]    Om.  B. 


Scene  II I.'}  'The  Qaptives,  71 

Would  trust  his  safety  to  a  rotten  planke 
That  hathe  on  earthe  sownd  tootringe! 

SARLAB.  None  but  madmen.  5 

MILD  EWE.  Why,  thou  of  none,  thrifty  and  well  advised; 
Stry  v'st  thou  to  make  mee  such  ?  Where's  now  the  gay ne 
And  prohtt  promist,  the  ritche  marchandyse 
Of  lust  and  whooringe,  the  greate  vsury 

Gott  by  the  sale  of  wantons?  These  cursed  wretches,  10 

With  all  the  wealthe  and  treasure  that  I  had, 
All  perisht  in  one  bottom,  and  all,  all, 
Throughe  thy  malitious  counsell. 

SARLABOYES.  Curse  thy  selfe. 
The  trusty  barke,  ore  laden  with  thy  sinnes, 

Baudryes,  grosse  lyes,  thy  thefts  and  perjuryes,  is 

Beesydes  the  burdene  of  thy  ill  gott  goodds, 
Not  able  to  indure  so  greate  a  weight. 
Was  forcit  to  sinke  beneathe  them. 

MILDEW.  Had  not  thy  greater  fraught  bin  shipt  with  myne. 
She  had  never  bin  oversett. 

SARLAB.  I  rather  thinke  »o 

Had  wee,  when  fyrst  the  shippe  began  to  dance, 
Rold  thee  with  thy  curst  ladinge  overboard. 
Wee  had  sayl'd  light  and  tight. 

MiLDEWE.  Out,  dogge! 

SARLAB.  Out,devill! 

MILDEWE.  By  thee  I  am  made  nothinge.  Oh  my  guirles, 

10  wretches]  jewelryes  B.  i  5  thefts]  theft  B. 

19-23  MILDEW  .  .  .  K\<^\..\Marked for  omission  in  MS;  printed  by  B.  as  footnote. 

20  She]  We  B.  2  i  wee]  .  .  .  B. 

22  Rold  thee  with  thy]  .  .  .  thrown  all  the  B. 

23  sayl'd]  still  B. 


«5 


30 


35 


72  The  Qaptives,  ^Aa  11. 

You  sweete  and  never  faylinge  marchandyse, 
Comodityes  in  all  coasts,  woorthy  coyne, 
Christiane  or  heathen,  by  whome  in  distresses 
I  coold  have  rays'd  a  fortune!  More  vndoon 
That  I  should  loose  you  thus! 

SARLAB.  I  knowe  hee  had  rather  ; 

See  half  a  hondred  of  them  burnt  a  land 
Then  one  destroyde  by  water.  But,  oh  Neptune, 
I  feare  I  have  supt  so  much  of  thy  salt  brothe 
'Twill  bringe  mee  to  a  feavour. 

MILDEW.  Oh  my  Palestra 
And  fayre  Scribonia,  weare  but  you  too  safe, 
Yet  som  hope  weare  reserv'd  me. 

SARLAB.  I  praye,  Mildewe, 
When  you  so  early  to  the  bottom  dyv'd, 
For  whome  weare  you  a  fishinge? 

MILDEW.  Marry,  for  maydes; 
Woold  I  knewe  howe  to  catche  them.  But  my  gutts, 
Howe  they  are  swel'd  with  sea  brine! 

SARLAB,  'Tis  good  phisicke 
To  cure  thee  of  the  mangy. 

MILDEWE.  Wretched  man,  ^ 

That  have  no  more  left  of  a  magazin 
Then  these  wett  cloathes  vpon  mee,  nay  the  woorst 
Of  all  I  had  and  purposely  putt  on 
Only  to  lyv  a  shipp-board. 

SALRAB.  Once  to-day 
Thou  wert  in  wealthe  aboue  mee;  nowe  the  seas  have  45 

Left  vs  an  equall  portion. 

MILDEW.  In  all  the  woorld 

"^J  maydes]  maydens  B. 


Scene  111.'}  'The  Qaptives.  73 

I  vowe  I  am  not  woorthe  a  lighted  faggott 
Or  a  poore  pan  of  charcoale. 

SARLAB.  Justly  punisht, 
Thou  that  hast  all  thy  lyfe  tyme  dealt  in  fyrewoorkes, 
Stoves  and  hott  bathes  to  sweet  in,  nowe  to  have  50 

Thy  teethe  to  chatter  in  thy  head  for  cowld 
Nimbler  then  virginall  jacks. 

MILDEW.  Th'  art  a  sweet  guest. 

SA  R  LAB.  Too  good  for  such  an  host;  better  to  have  bin 
Lodg'd  in  som  spittle;  or,  if  possible, 

To  bee  imprisoned  in  som  surgeon's  box  55 

That  smells  of  salves  and  plasters. 

MiLDEWE.  Nowe  what  sharke 
Or  wyde-mouth'd  whale  shall  swallowe  vpp  my  budgett, 
May  it  at  th'  instant  choake  him! 

SARLAB.  Cursedly  'twas  gott. 
And  nowe  thy  curse  goes  with  it. 

MILDEW.  But  those  guirles! 
Nought  so  much  greives  mee  as  to  part  with  them  60 

Before  they  lost  theire  maiden-heads.  Had  they  lyv'd 
Till  I  had  seen  them  women,  and  o  'th'  trade. 
My  cost  and  care  bestowed  to  bringe  them  vpp 
I  should  have  thought  well  spent,  which  nowe  with  them 
Is  meerely  cast  away.  65 

Enter  Godfrey. 

SARLAB.  Peace  now  your  pratinge,  and  heare  another  .... 

GODFRY.  The  pale  religious,  which  was  the  pledge 
Of  a  kisse  lascivious,  I  have  giuen  backe, 

5  I  chatter]  falter  B. 

52-56  MILDEW  .  .  .  plasters.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 
63  cost]  tast  B.  66  .  .  .]  spirit  B. 

bl -%6\Marked for  omission  in  MS. 


74  T^}^^  Qaptives,  \^Aa  ii. 

Ey,  and  to  boote  the  water.  But  within 

There's  such  a  coyle  betwixt  the  2  yonge  guirles,  70 

Such  quakinge,  shakinge,  quiveringe,  shiveringe, 

Such  cryinge,  and  such  talke  of  flyinge,  then  of  hyding, 

And  that  there's  no  abydinge.  One  cryes  out  and  calls; 

The  other's  redy  to  breake  downe  the  walls; 

Then  weepinge,  they  whisper  together,  75 

And  saye  they  woold  roone  if  they  knew  whether, 

And  are  indeede  putt  to  such  strange  affrights 

That  I  was  afrayde  they  weare  hunted  with  sprights, 

And  therfore  rann  and  left  them;  lass,  poore  guirles, 

They  are  in  piteous  feare.  80 

MiLDEWE.  Hee  talkt  of  guirles;  why  may  not  these  be  they, 
Escapt  as  wee?  Stay,  yonge  man,  good  frend,  staye. 

GODF.  Too  ould  drown'd  ratts — I'l  have  som  sport  with  them. 
And  though  I  pitty  those,  I'l  play  with  these. 

MILDEW.  What  gurles  weare  those  thou  spakest  of? 

SAR LAB.  Tell  vs  fyrst  85 

Where  wee  might  finde  som  comfort. 

GODFREY.  Lett  vs,  oh  lett  vs,  be  advys'd. 
And  livinge  still  to  all  men. 
So  though  we  bee  but  midle  siz'd. 
We  shal  bee  held  no  small  men.  9° 

MILDEW.  Concerning  these  fay  re  damosels,  speake  of  that. 

SARLAB.  Which  nowe  concernes  vs  most,  where  may  wee  meete 
With  warmth,  with  foode,  and  shelter? 

GODF.  Oh  thou  that  dost  demand  of  mee 
Som  fyre,  som  meate,  &  harbof^r^,  95 

I  see  thou  lately  hast  bin  washt; 
Hath  Neptune  bin  thy  barboj^r]? 

78  sprights]  springht  MS.  79  rann]  cam  B. 

93  shelter]  A  corretlion  in  MS.  for  comfort. 


Scene  111.']  'The  Qaptives,  75 

s A  R  LA  B.  This  fellowe  mearely  flowtes  our  misery, 
And  laughs  att  our  distresses. 

MILDEW.  But,  kind  frende, 
Concerninge  these  yonge  women,  are  they  fayre?  100 

GODFREY.  Fayre,  fresh,  and  cleane  they  boathe  appeare, 
And  not  lyke  gypsies  vmber'd. 

MILDEW.  H ow  many  ? 

GODFREY.  Just  as  thou  and  I 
When  wee  are  once  but  numbred. 

MILDEW.  Oh,  Sarlebois,  there's  comfort  in  these  woords;        105 
They  have  allredy  warm'd  my  hart  within. 
Why  may  not  these  bee  they? 

SARLAB.  Bee  they  or  not, 
I  had  rather  see  one  caudell  downe  my  throate, 
To  wash  downe  this  salt-water,  then  bee  mayster 
Of  all  the  wenshes  lyvinge. 

MILDEW.  Oh  where,  where,  "o 

Where  might  I  see  too  such? 

GODF.  Thou  that  goest  sydewayes  lyke  a  crabb, 
Gap'st  on  mee  lyke  an  oyster, 
Followe  thy  flat  nose  &  smell  them  there, 
In  th'  out  part  of  this  cloyster.  "S 

MiLDEWE.  Oh  maye  this  peece  of  earth  prove  happy  to  mee 
As  hath  the  sea  bin  fatall. 

SARLAB.  ri  followe  and  coold  wish 
Boath  cloyster  and  whole  villadge  weare  a  fyre 
Only  to  dry  my  clothes  by. 

GODFREY.  Marry,  hange  you,  »»o 

You  that  so  late  scaped  drowninge,  for  I  take  you 
For  too  pestiferous  raskalls.  \_8xeunt. 

EXPLICIT    ACTUS    SECUNDUS. 
loi  fresh]  flesh  B. 


ACTUS   TERTIUS 
SCENA    PRIMA 

Cnter  the  ladv  de  averne,  with  a  letter  in  her  hand^  readinge^ 
and  with  her  mayde. 

IADY.  And  howe  came  you  by  this? 
MAYDE.  Followinge  you  to  th'  chappell 
_-</  And,  I  protest,  not  thinkinge  anythinge, 
Fryar  Jhon  o'  th'  suddeine  pluckt  mee  by  the  sleef^ve]], 
And  whisper'd  in  myne  eare  to  giue  that  to  you, 
But  privatly,  bycause  it  was  a  thinge 
Only  toweard  your  person, 

LADY,  'Twas  well  doonne. 
But  prithee  do  no  more  so;  for  this  tyme 
Tak't  for  a  warninge. 

MAYDE,  Madam,  I  am  skool'd. 

LADY,  Doo  so,  or  ever  loose  mee.  Heere's  sweet  stufFe! 
Can  this  bee  in  a  vowed  monastick  lyfe, 
Or  to  bee  fownd  in  churchmen — nothinge  but  love, 
And  all  syr-reverens  like,  'Tis  a  question 
Whether  to  smyle  or  vex,  to  laughe  or  storme, 
Bycause  in  this  I  finde  the  cause  of  boathe. 
What  might  ^this^  sawcy  fellowe  spy  in  mee 
To  incorradge  such  a  boldnes?  Yes,  this  letter 

9  Heere's  .  .  .  stufFe  !]  Scored  through  in  MS. 

11,12  nothinge  .  .  .  like.]  Scored  through  i/i  MS.;  Om.  B. 

77 


15 


78  The  Qaptives,  l^a  in. 

Instructs  mee  what;  hee  seythe  my  affability 

And  modest  smiles,  still  gracinge  his  salutes, 

Moov'd  him  to  wryte.  Oh  what  a  chary  care  then 

Had  womene  neede  have  boathe  of  lipps  and  eyes  »© 

When  every  fayre  woord's  censur'd  liberty,  , 

And  every  kind  looke  meere  licensiousnes! 

I  have  bin  heatherto  so  greate  a  stranger 

To  these  vnvs'd  temptations  that  in  trothe 

I  knowe  not  howe  to  take  this.  Sylly  fryar!  as 

Madnes  or  folly,  one  of  these  't  must  bee. 

If  th'  one  I  pitty,  att  the  other  laughe. 

And  so  no  more  reguard  it.  '       ' 

M  AY  D  E .  Madam,  if  ought  bee  in  that  letter  ill,  '' 

Mee  thinks  'tis  good  that  you  can  tak't  so  well.  3° 

LADY.  Peace,  you;  a  braineles,  weake,  besotted  fellowe! 
But  lett  mee  better  recoiled  my  self. 
Madnes  nor  folly,  and  add  lust  to  them. 
Durst  not  in  fury,  heate,  or  ignorans. 

Have  tempted  my  vnquestion'd  chastity  35 

Without  a  fowrthe  abetter,  jealosy. 
The  more  I  ponder  that,  I  more  suspeft 
By  that  my  lord  should  have  a  hand  in  this, 
&,  knowinge  there's  such  differens  in  our  yeares, 
To  proove  my  faythe  might  putt  this  triall  on  mee.  4° 

Elce  howe  durst  such  a  poore  penurious  fryar 
Oppose  such  an  vnheard  of  impudens 
Gaynst  my  incensed  fury  and  revendge? 
My  best  is  there-fore,  as  I  am  inocent. 

To  stooddy  myne  owne  safety,  showe  this  letter,  4S 

Which  one  my  charity  woold  have  conceal'd, 

29  mayde]  Madam  MS.  30  that]  [that]  B. 

39]  Scored  through  in  MS.  46  one]  one  [?]  B. 


Scenr  i.-;\  Thc  Qaptivcs,  79 

And  rather  giue  him  vpp  a  sacrifice 
To  my  lord's  just  incensement  then  indanger 
Myne  owne  vnhlemisht  truth  and  loyalty 

By  incurringe  his  displeasure;  heare  hee  corns.  5© 

Enter  the  lord    de   averne  with  som 

followers ;  his  man  d  e  n  i  s . 

L.  AVERN.  Nowe,  lady,  readinge? 

LADY.  Yes,  a  letter,  sir. 

L.  AVERNE.  Imparts  it  any  newes? 

LADY.  Yes,  syr,  strange  newes. 
And  scarce  to  bee  beleaved. 

L.  AVERNE.  Forreigne? 

LADY.  Domestick; 
'Tis  howshould  busines  all. 

L.  A.VERNE.  May  I  impart  it? 

LADY.  Oh,  syr,  in  any  case,  55 

As  one  it  most  concernes;  but  I  intreate  you, 
Reade  it  with  patiens;  the  simplicity 
Of  him  that  writte  it  will  afford  you  mirthe. 
Or  elce  his  mallice,  spleene.  —  Nowe  by  his  temper 
And  change  of  countenance  I  shall  easily  find  6o 

Whose  hand  was  cheife  in  this. 

L.  AVERNE.  All  leave  the  place. 

DENIS.  We  shall,  syr.  ]^8xeunt  all  but  the  lord  and 

L.  AVERNE.  Possible  LADY   OF  AVERNE.] 

That  this  shoold  bee  in  man,  nay  in  man  vowed 

Vnto  a  strickt,  abstemious  chastity! 

From  my  owne  creature  and  from  one  I  feede,  6s 

5  I  Nowe]  Howe  B. 

53  Domestick]  Nay,  domestick  B.  (Nay,  which  destroys  the  meter,  has  been  scored 
through  in  MS. ) 

62  [£'xeunt  a//  but  the  LORD  and  LADY  of  averne.]]  Om.  B. 


8o  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  iil 

Nay  from  a  place  built  in  my  holliest  vowes, 

Establisht  in  my  purpose,  in  my  lyfe 

Maintayn'd  from  my  revenue,  after  death 

Firm'd  and  assur'd  to  all  posterity es  — 

That  that  shoold  breede  such  vipers !  70 

LADY.  Patiens,  syr;  the  fellowe  suer  is  madd. 

L.  AVERNE.  I  can  be  madd  as  hee  too,  and  I  will. 
Thus  to  abuse  my  goodnes!  In  a  deede 
Som  woold  hold  meritorious,  att  the  least 

Intended  for  an  adt  of  piety,  75 

To  suffer  in  my  zeale!  Nay  to  bee  mockt 
In  my  devotion  by  these  empty  drones 
That  feede  vpon  the  honey  of  my  hyve! 
To  invert  my  good  intendements,  turne  this  nest 
I  built  for  prayer  vnto  a  bedd  of  sinnes !  80 

Which  thus  I'l  punish;  this  religious  place, 
Once  vowed  to  sanctity,  I'l  vndermyne 
And  in  one  instant  blowe  the  stru6ture  vpp 
With  all  th'  vnhallowed  covent. 

LADY.  Y'  are  in  extreames; 
Where  one  offends,  shall  for  his  heighnous  fad:  85 

So  many  suffer?  There's  no  justyce  in't. 

L.  AVERNE.  Som  justyce  I  will  showe  them  heare  on  earthe 
Before  they  finde  it  multiplyed  in  heaven. 

LADY.  For  my  sake,  syr,  do  not  for  one  man's  error 
Destroy  a  woorke  of  perpetuity,  90 

By  which  your  name  shall  lyve.  One  man  offends; 
Lett  the  delinquent  suffer. 

L.  AVERNE.  So't  shal  bee, 
And  thou  hast  well  advys'd.  Som  pen  and  inke  theire! 

79  Marginal  note:  Ink  :  paper  ready.  MS.  B. 

84  Y'are  in]  Praye,  no  B,  87  will]  would  B, 


Scene  7.]  7^he  Quptivcs,  8  I 

L  A  u  Y.  What  purpose  you  ? 

L.  AVERNE.  That's  soly  to  my  selfe, 
And  in  my  fyxt  thoughts  stands  irreproovable.  95 

8nter  dennis  with pen^  inke  ^ paper. 

[[DENIS.]  Syr,  heare's  pen,  inke,  and  paper. 

L.  AVERNE.  To  his  letter 
My  self  will  give  an  answer.  ]^fVrytes. 

DENIS.  Suer  all's  not  well  that  on  the  suddeine  thus 
My  lord  is  so  distempered. 

LADY.  I  have,  I  feare, 
Styr'd  such  a  heate  that  nought  save  bloodd  will  quensh,  loo 

But  wishe  my  teares  might  doo't;  hee's  full  of  storme, 
And  that  in  him  will  not  bee  easily  calm'd. 
His  rage  and  troble  boath  pronounce  him  guiltles 
Of  this  attempt,  which  makes  mee  rather  doubt 
Hee  may  proove  too  seveare  in  his  revendge,  105 

Which  I  with  all  indevour  will  prevent. 
Yet  to  the  most  censorious  I  appeale. 
What  coold  I  lesse  have  doone  to  save  myne  honor 
From  suffringe  beneathe  skandall? 

L.  AVERNE.  See,  heare's  all; 
'Tis  short  and  sweete.  Wryte  this  in  your  owne  hand  no 

Without  exchange  of  the  least  sillable. 
Insert  in  copinge  no  suspitious  dash. 
Or  doubtfull  comma;  then  subscribe  your  name, 
Seal  't  then  with  your  owne  signet,  and  dispatche  it 
As  I  will  have  dyredted;  doo't,  I  charge  you,  115 

Without  the  least  demurre  or  fallacy. 
By  dooinge  this  you  shall  prevent  distrust 
Or  future  breach  beetwixt  vs;  you  shall  further 

96  [den IS.]]  Orn.  B.  97  an]  him  B. 

113  Or]  No  B. 


82  The  Qaptives,  x^jaiii. 

Expresse  a  just  obediens. 

LADY.  Syr,  I  shall; 
What  ere  your  conceal'd  purpose  bee,  I  shall.  120 

L.  AVERNE.  Provyde  mee  hoCr^ses;  I  will  ryde. 

DENIS.  When,  syr? 

L.  AVERNE.  Instantly,  after  dinner,  and  gee't  out 
I  am  not  to  returne  till  three  dayes  hence; 
So  spreade  it  throughe  the  howse. 

DENIS.  What  followers,  syr, 
Meane  you  to  take  alonge? 

L.  AVE RN.  Thy  self,  no  more,  i^s 

For  'tis  a  private  busines;  and  withall 
Provyde  mee, — harke,  thyne  eare. 

DENIS,  A  stronge  one,  syrr. 

L.  AVERNE.  One  that  will  howld;  withall  giue  private  order 
At  night  the  guarden  gate  may  bee  left  ope. 

By  which  wee  may  returne  vnknowne  to  any.  130 

What  I  intend  lyes  heare. 

DENIS.  All  wee  servants 
Are  bownd  to  doo,  but  not  examine  what; 
That's  out  of  our  comission. 

L.  AVERNE.  'Twixt  VS  tOO 

I  shall  resolve  thee  further. 

DENIS.  I  am  gone,  syr.  [[f'^c//.] 

L.  AVERN.  Nowe,  sweete  lady,  have  you  doon.?  135 

LADY.  As  you  comanded. 

L.  AVERNE.  It  wants  nothinge  nowe 
But  seale  and  superscription;  I'l  see't  doone. 
And  marke  mee  nowe;  at  evensonge,  passinge  through 
The  cloyster  to  the  chappell,  when  the  fryar 
Amongst  the  rest  bowes  with  his  woonted  duckes,  140 

129  gate]  gates  B.      ope]  open  B.  134  [6W//.]]  Om.  B. 


Scene  I  J. '^  The  Qaptvves .  83 

Add  rather  then  deminish  from  your  smiles 
And  wonted  favours.  Lett  this  shee  post  then 
Conveigh  this  letter  to  the  fryer's  close  fist, 
Who  no  dowbt  gapes  for  answer. 

LADY.  All  shall  bee 
As  you  instrude;  but  punishe,  syr,  with  pitty;  hs 

Putt  him  to  payne  or  shame,  but  deathe,  alas, 
Is  too  seveare  example. 

L.  AVERNE.  Tush,  wyfe ;  feare  not.  Think'st  thou  I'le  quale 
a  churchman?  [^E'xeunt. 

ACTUS    TERTIUS 

SCENA  SECUNDA 

Snter,  after  a  great  noyse  within,  the  c  l  o  w  n  e  ,  meetinge 
with  A  s  H  B  u  R  N  E  and  Godfrey. 

CLOWNE.  If  this  villadge  be  inhabited  with  men  as  this  place 
within  is  with  monsters;  if  with  men  that  have  eyes  and 
can  distinguishe  bewty,  or  that  have  harts  and  therfore  sauer 
ofpitty;  if  you  bee  fathers  and  knowe  what  belonges  to  children, 
or  Christianes  and  therefor  what  is  ment  by  charity;  if  hus-  5 
bandmen  and  have  hope  of  your  harvest,  or  marchants  of  your 
trade's  increase;  if  fishermen  that  would  thryve  by  your  labours, 
or  any  of  all  these  that  would  be  knowne  by  your  honesty  — 

ASHBURNE.  Many  of  those  thou  namest  have  place  in  vs, 
The  great'st  part,  if  not  all.  10 

CLOWNE.  Then  lend  your  helpinge  hands  to  succor,  releive, 

147  example]  Om.  B. 
10  The]  Om.  B. 


84  The  Qaptives,  X^Aa  in. 

defend,  deliver,  save,  secure,  patronadge,  abett,  and  mayntayn — 

ASHBURNE.  Whome,  what ? 

c  L  o  w  N  E .  Bewty,  vertue,  purity,  sy ncerity,  softnes,  sweetenes, 
inocens,  and  chastity.  15 

A  s  H  B .  Gainst  what  ?  gainst  whome  ? 

c  L o  w N  E .  Oppression, frawde,  rudenes,  reprosh, sin, shame, de- 
bate, distrust,  theft,  rapine,  contempt  of  religion,  and  breach  of 
sanftury,  against  a  magazine  of  misdemeanors  and  a  whole  mo- 
nopoly of  mischeif.  20 

GODFREY.  I  knowe  the  busines,  syr,  if  in  that  place 
These  are  the  too  distressed  wracks  at  sea 
We  sawe  this  morninge  floatinge;  sweeter  guirles 
I  never  yet  sett  ey  on,  and  opprest 

By  too  ill  lookinge  raskells  that  to  warme  them  25 

Wisht  all  the  towne  a  bonefyre — 

ASHBURNE.  Miscreant  slaves ! 
For  one  yonge  damsell's  sake  I  once  cal'd  daughter, 
And  in  the  absens  of  there  greater  frends, 
I'l  stand  beetwixt  them  and  these  injuryes. 

CLOWNE.  These  are  they  after  whome  I  have  bin  seekinge,  30 
and  my  mayster  was  inquiringe.  If  you  will  but  secure  them 
heare  in  the  villadge  whilst  I  carry  woord  to  my  mayster  in 
the  citty,  you  shall  doo  mee  a  curtesye  and  him  a  most  noble 
ofFyce. 

ASHBURNE.  It  was  no  more  then  promisse,  and  I  shoold  35 

Fayle  in  my  goodnes  not  to  see  that  doonne. 
Post  to  thy  mayster,  bid  him  meete  vs  heare; 
Meane  tyme  my  menn  shall  rayse  the  villadgers, 
Boathe  in  the  reskewe  of  these  inocent  maydes 
And  in  defens  of  holly  priviledge.  4° 

CLOWNE.  I  fly  lyke  the  winds. 

I  2  secure]  serve  B.  1 8  distrust]  discourse  B. 


Scene'  //.:]  T/je  Qaptvves.  85 

GODF.  And  rigo  call  the  pesants 
To  rayse  another  tempest. 

\J.'xeunt  CLOWN  and  (.0  i^fre  v.] 
ASHBURNE.  Hasten  boathe, 
And  till  ayde  com  I'l  laye  myne  eare  and  listen 
To  heare  what  further  coyle  is  kept  within  — 
All's  silent  on  the  suddeine.  4S 

]^Musick. 
]^Song  within^] 
[;i3  Helpe,  helpe,  oh  ayde  a  wretched  mayde, 

or  els  we  are  vndoon  then. 
{^1}  And  have  I  caught,  and  have  I  caught  you? 

In  vayne  it  is  to  roonne  then. 
X^i'}  Som  reskewe  then  from  gods  or  men  5° 

redeeme  vs  from  these  crosses! 
[;2)]  'Tis  all  in  vayne,  since  nowe  I  gaine 

part  of  my  former  losses. 
{^\'}  Oh  heaven,  defend!  What,  yet  no  end 

of  these  our  strange  desasters  ?  55 

[|2]]  No  favour's  knowne;  no  pittye's  showen 

to  them  that  fly  there  maysters. 
[;i;]  Why  to  defame,  reproch,  and  shame, 

poore  innocents  thus  dragge  yee? 
]^l'}  With  your  offens  there's  no  dispence;  60 

away  then!  Wherefore  lagge  yee.? 

A  tumult  within  and suddein  noyse.  Cnter  att  one  doore  Godfrey, 
with  coontry  fellowesfor  there  reskewe^  at  the  other 

MILDEWE,   SARLABOYS,    P  A  L  E  ST  R  A,  S  C  R  I  BO  N  lA. 

PALEST.   Where,  in  what  place,  shall  wee beestowe  our  selfes 
From  this  injust  man's  fury? 

50  then]  when  MS. 


86  The  Qaptives,  lAa  iii. 

scRiB.  If  compel'd 
And  dragg'd  from  sanduary  by  prophane  hands, 
Where  shall  wee  flye  to  safety? 

ASHBURNE.  Wheither,  if  65 

Not  vnto  vs?  We  often  see  the  gods 
Giue  and  bequeathe  there  justyce  vnto  men, 
Which  we  as  faythefully  will  see  perform'd. 

ALL.  Downe  with  these  saucy  companiones! 

GODFRAY.'Downewith  these  sacraligious  silsepaereales,  these  70 
vnsand:ified  Sarlaboyses  that  woold  make  a  veryseralia  of  the 
sandluary,  and  are  meare  renegadoes  to  all  religion! 

MILDEW.  Stay,  hold,  are  you  bandetty,  rovers,  theives. 
And  wayte  you  heare  to  robb  and  pilladge  vs 

The  sea  so  late  hathe  ryfled?  These  are  myne,  75 

My  chattells  and  my  goodds,  nor  can  you  cease  them 
As  wracks;  I  appeale  vnto  the  admirall. 

A  SHE.  His  power  I  in  his  absens  will  supply. 
And  cease  yee  all  as  forfett;  these  as  goodds. 

You  as  superfluous  ladinge,  till  that  coort  80 

Shall  comprimise  betwixt  vs. 

MILDEW,  r  th'  meane  tyme 
Lett  mee  possesse  myne  owne;  these  are  my  slaves. 
My  vtensills,  my  mooveables,  and  bought 
With  myne  owne  private  coyne. 

SARLAB.  To  which  I  am  witnes. 

MILDEW.  And  by  the  heyre  I'l  dragge  them  as  myne  owne,     85 
Wear't  from  the  holly  alter. 

PALEST.  Succor! 

SCRIB.  Helpe! 

A  s  H  B  u  R.  Are  they  not  Christians  ? 

MILDEW.  Yes. 

A  s  H  B  u  R .  What  nation  ? 


sre;u-  II.-2  T'he  Qaptives.  87 

MILDEW.  Englishe. 

ASH  BUR.  In  myne  owne  coontry  borne,  and  shall  not  1 
Stand  as  theire  champion  then  ?  I  tell  thee,  pesant, 
England's  no  broode  for  slaves. 

PALEST.  Oh,  syr,  to  you  9° 

Wee  fly  as  to  a  father. 

ASHBURNE.  And  I'l  guard  you 
As  weare  you  myne  owne  children. 

MIL  DEWE.  Gainst  there  lord, 
Owner,  and  mayster? 

ASHBURNE.  None  is  lordd  with  vs 
But  such  as  are  freeborne;  our  Christian  lawes 
Do  not  allowe  such  to  bee  bought  or  sould,  95 

For  any  bawde  or  pandar  to  hyre  such 
To  comon  prostitution.  Heere  they  stand; 
Tutch  but  a  garment,  nay  a  hey  re  of  theres 
With  thy  least  finger,  thy  bald  head  I'l  sinke 
Beelowe  thy  gowty  feete. 

MILDEW.  I  am  opprest;  '°° 

Is  theire  no  lawe  in  France? 

ASH  BUR.  Yes,  syr,  to  punish 
These  chastitye's  seducers. 

MILDEW.  Giue  mee  fyar; 
I  will  not  leave  of  all  this  monastery. 
Of  vou  or  these,  of  what's  combustible, 
Naye  of  my  self,  one  moiety  vnconsumed.  'o5 

GODFREY.  His  frcnd  beefore  him  wisht  the  towne  a  tyre; 
Nowe  hee  would  burne  the  cloyster:  too  arch-pillers! 

ASHBURNE.  And  lyke  such 
Our  purpose  is  to  vse  them.  Dare  not,  miscreant, 

100  feete]  foote  B.  105  one  moiety]  A  cor  region  in  MS.  for  dispeyring. 


88  The  Qaptives,  [^Ja  iii. 

One  to  giue  these  a  name  whome  thou  calst  thyne,  no 

No  not  a  beck  or  nod;  if  thou  but  styr 

To  doo  vnto  this  howse  of  sanftity 

Damadge  or  outrage,  I  will  laye  thee  prostrate 

Beneathe  these  staves  and  halberts. 

MILDEW.  Is  this  lawe ? 

GODFREY.  Yes,  Stafford's  lawe. 

ASHBURNE.  Naye,  feare  not,  prety  guides;  115 

The  fryars  them  selfs,  weare  they  not  at  theire  prayeQrsJ, 
Wold  have  doon  more  then  this  in  just  defens 
Of  theire  immunitys;  but  in  theire  absens 
I  stand  for  them,  nor  shall  you  part  from  hence 
Or  dare  to  squetche  till  they  themselves  be  judges  i'*© 

Of  injurye  doone  to  this  sacred  place, 
Or  such  as  I  have  sent  for  make  appearance 
To  clayme  what  thou  vnjustly  calst  thyne  owne. 

GODFREY.  Nay,  thou  shalt  find  wee  have  too  stringes  to  our 
boCw]. 

ASHBURNE.  If  hee  but  styrr,  then  stryke. 

MILDEW.  This  Stafford  law,  1 25 

Which  I  till  nowe  heard  never  nam'd  in  France, 
Is  for  the  present  a  more  fearefull  coort 
Then  chancery  or  starr-chamber.  I  want  motion; 
You  have  made  ]jnQ^  a  statue,  a  meercimadge. 

GODFREY.  Styrr  and  thou  diest.  Wee'le  maule  you.  130 

MILDEW.  If  heare  I  can  have  none,  lett  me  depart 
To  looke  elcewhere  for  justyce. 

SARLAB.  Keepe  him  prisoner, 

1 1  o  one]  But  B.   name]  menace  B. 

I  20  squetche]  sqeelche  B.  judges]  judge  B. 

1 24  shalt  find]  shall  stand  B.  132  looke]  seake  B. 

130-139]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


Scene  II.'}  'The  Quptives.  89 

And  sett  mee  free  to  find  some  advocate 
To  pleade  in  his  just  cause, 

GODFRE,  Neather  styrr 
In  payne  of  too  Frensh  crownes,  and  they  so  crack[;t]  135 

Never  more  to  passe  for  currant, 

ASHBURNE.  That  presume. 

MILDEW,  Misery  of  miseryes!  I  am  bownd  hand  and  foote, 
And  yet  boath  legges  and  armes  at  liberty. 

GODF.  Yes,  by  the  lawe  cal'd  Stafford. 

Enter  mr.  Raphael,  mr.  treadway, 
and  the  c  l  o  w  n  e  . 

RAPHAEL.  Durst  then  the  slave  vse  my  Palestra  thus,  140 

And.dragge  her  by  the  hey  re  from  sanftuary  ? 

clowne.  Most  trew,  syr. 

RAPHAEL.  Why  did'st  not  kill  him? 

clowne.  If  I  had  had  but  a  swoard,  I  haddoon*t;but  I  sought 
the  villadge  through,  and  coold  find  neare  a  cutter.  hs 

RAPHAEL.  Weare  there  no  skattered  stones  lye  in  the  streete 
To  have  beate  his  braynes  out? 

CLOWNE,  Not  a  stone  to  throwe  att  a  dogg, 

RAPHAEL,  Had'st  thou  not  heeles? 

CLOWNE.  Yes,  to  have  kickt  him  lyke  a  dogge,  but  I  reserv'd  15° 
them  to  roon  the  more  nimbly  about  your  busines. 

PALESTRA.  I  nowe  spye  a  newe  sand:uary,  his  armes, 
In  which  I  may  pursue  security. 
My  Raphael! 

RAPHAEL.  My  Palestra,  are  you  safe? 
Beefore  I  giue  due  thankes  to  this  good  man,  155 

Which  tyme  shall  paye  in  all  pluralityes. 
Oh  shewe  mee  but  that  monster  of  mankind 
And  shame  of  men  on  whome  to  bee  revendg'd! 

I  54  are  you]  art  thou  B. 


90  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  in. 

MILDEW.  The  storme  at  sea  was  not  more  terrible 
Then  this  the  land  nowe  threatens;  againe  vndoon,  i6o 

Over  and  over  wretched! 

CLOWNE.  See  the  limbe 
Of  his  ould  syre,  the  devill. 

RAPHAEL.  Perjur'd  slave! 
Perfidious,  but  that  I  abhore  to  take 
The  hangman's  ofBce  from  him,  this  should  open 
A  doore  by  which  thy  black  soule  should  fly  out  165 

Vnto  assured  dam[;nJation. 

TREADWAY.  Bee  more  patient; 
Proceede  with  him  after  a  legall  course. 
And  bee  not  swayde  by  fury. 

RAPHAEL.  Well  advys'd: 
What  can  thy  fake  toonge  pleade  in  thy  excuse. 
Thou  volume  of  all  vyces? 

MiLDEWE.  Why,  what  not?  170 

RAPHAEL.  Is  thy  hart  sear'd,  thy  browe  made  impudent. 
And  all  thy  malefadions  arm'd  with  lyes 
Against  just  testates  and  apparant  truthes? 
When  I  had  payde  full  ransom  for  this  pryze. 
Why  did'st  thou  beare  her  hence? 

MILDEWE.  I  did  not  doo't, —  '75 

These  bee  my  witnes;  have  I  borne  her  hence 
When  I  have  brought  her  to  thee? 

RAPHAEL.  Thy  bawde's  rethorick 
Shall  not  excuse  thee  thus.  Frends,  guarde  him  safe. 

CLOWNE.  Wee  will  see  his  foole's  coate  guarded,  ey  and  reguard- 
ed  too  from  slippinge  out  of  our  fingers.  iSo 

GODFREY.  Wee'l  finde  amongst  vs  more  then  to  make  him  fow- 

1 7  2  arm'  d]  crownd  B.  i  8 1  - 1  84]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 

1 8 1  to  make]   .  .  .  B. 


Sa-fn- ij.-]  The  Qaptives.  91 

er  elbowes.  Elbowe  him  off  all  sydes,  gentlemen.  Itt  shall  ap- 
peare  beefore  hee  parts  with  vs  that  hee  hathe  showed  him  self 
no  better  then  a  coxcombe. 

TREAD  WAY.  Beleevc  mee  nowe,  I  do  not  blame  my  frend       185 
To  fishe  in  trobled  streames  for  such  a  pearle, 
Or  digge  in  black  mowld  for  so  ritch  a  myne; 
But  to  redeeme  a  chast  and  inocent  sowle 
Forthe  from  the  fierye  jawes  of  lust  and  hell 

Exprest  a  most  comended  charity.  '9° 

What  second  bewtye's  that,  I  intreate  you,  frend, 
That,  tremblinge,  flyes  from  his  infectious  ills 
To  patronise  her  youthe  and  inocence 
Beneathe  that  goode  man's  goodnes? 

RAPHAEL.  Alyke  suffers 
With  her  in  all  distresses,  lyke  in  yeares,  195 

In  vertue  no  waye  differinge,  of  our  nation; 
Who  knowes  but  neare  allyde  too? 

TREADWAY.  I  feele  somethinge 
Growinge  on  mee,  I  knowe  not  howe  to  style, 
Pitty  or  love,  synce  it  hath  tast  of  boathe. 

And  since  itt  weare  such  parity  in  all  thinges, —  200 

Age,  minds,  wracks,  bondadge,  pursiutes,  injuryes, — 
Shoold  nowe  bee  separate?  the  one  be  freede. 
The  tother  left  in  durance  for  the  want 
And  pious  tender  of  so  small  a  somme? 
I  somwhat  have  in  purpose. 

RAPHAEL.  Dragge  them  boathe  ^05 

Before  the  magistrate. 

SARLAB.  Mee?  wherefore?  why? 

191  I  intreate  you]  .  .  .  B.  197  allyde]  all  yee  B. 

200  since]  sinne  MS.  B.  201  Age]  J  correBion  in  MS.  for  Years. 


9  2  The  Qaptives,  x^Aaiii. 

GODFREY.  As  his  abetter  and  ill  counseller; 
One  would  have  burnt  the  villadge,  and  the  other 
Threatned  to  fyar  the  cloyster. 

RAPHAEL.  Boathe  afts  capitall 
And  worthy  seveare  censure. 

MILDEW.  Though  thou  plead'st  interest  aio 

In  waye  of  earnest  in  Palestra,  yet 
Robb  mee  not  quite;  giue  me  the  tother  back, 
My  only  portion  left  me  by  the  sea 
And  stock  to  sett  vpp  trade  by. 

scRiB.  Rather  torture  mee 
With  any  violent  death. 

TREAD.  Leave  them  in  trust  *is 

And  chardge  of  this  grave,  reverent  gentleman, 
Vntill  you  heire  the  sentenc  of  the  coort. 

ASHB.  I  willingly  accept  theire  patronadge; 
Heere  att  my  howse  they  shall  have  meate  and  harbour. 
With  all  supplyes  convenient. 

RAPHAELL.  Nobly  spooke;  "o 

Meane  tyme  hale  these  to  th'  coort. 

MILDEW.  My  Palestra, 
What?  not  one  woord  of  pittye? 

RAPHAEL.  Stopp  his  mouth. 

MILDEW.  My  Scribonia, 
Not  thou  intreate  them  neather? 

TREADWAY.  Tyme's  but  trifled; 
Away  with  them  to  justyce! 

MILDEW.  Take  my  skinne  then,  "S 

Synce  nothinge  elce  is  left  mee. 

220  With  .  .  .  convenient.]  0?n.  B. 

221  th'  coort]  A  correilion  in  MS.  for  justyce.  224  Not]  Wilt  B. 


Scene  II I."}  'The  Qaptives,  93 

c  L o  w N  E .  That's  rotten  allredy,  and  will  neather  make  goodd 
leather  nor  parchement.  Th'  tovvne  theire! 

\^£xeunt  \jill  except  a  s  h  b  u  r  n  e  ,   palestra,  ayui 

SCRIBONI  A.] 

ASHBURNE.  Com,  damsalls,  followe  mee  where  I  shall  leade. 
I  have  a  curst  wyfe  at  home,  I  tell  you  that,  ajo 

But  one  that  I  presume  will  not  bee  jealous 
Of  too  such  harmeles  sowles. 

PALESTRA.  You  are  to  vs 
A  patrone  and  defender. 

scRiB.  Bound  vnto  you 
Not  as  an  host  but  father.  \JBxeunt. 


ACTUS   TERTIUS 

SCENA   TERTIA 

8nter  the  lord   de  averne,^/j  lad)\  d e n n i s , 
and  the  way  tinge  mayde. 

La  VERNE.  Are  all  thinges  redye  as  I  gave  in  chardge? 
,  DENYS.  Redy,  syr. 
L.  averne.  Inoughe;  and  you  deliver'd  it 
To  his  owne  hands? 
MAYDE.  I  did. 

L.  averne.  Howe  did  hee  tak't? 
MAYDE.  With  smiles  and  seeminge  joy. 
L.  AVERNE.  Sorrowe  and  shame 
I  feare  will  bee  the  sadd  end  on't.  5 

228  Th'  towne]  .  .  .  B.     [all  except  ashburne,  palestra,  and  scki^o- 
nia]  Orn.  B.  230  curst]  cross  B.  (^See  note.) 


94  The  Qaptives,  i^Aaiii. 

LADY.  Sir,  you'r  trobled. 

LORD  Av ERNE.  I  woold  not  have  you  so;  pray,  to  your  rest. 
You  shall  remove  mee  from  all  jelosyes 
If  you  betake  you  to  your  sowndest  sleepes. 
And  without  more  inquiry. 

LADY.  Sir,  remember  lo 

That  all  offences  are  not  woorthy  deathe: 
Fellowny,  murder,  treason  and  such  lyke 
Of  that  grosse  nature  maye  bee  capittall; 
Not  folly,  error,  trespasse. 

LORD  AVERNE.  You  advyse  well ; 
Lett  mee  advyse  you  lyke-wyse:  instantly  is 

Retyre  in  to  your  chamber,  without  noyse. 
Reply,  or  question,  leest  part  of  that  rage 
Is  bent  gainst  him  you  turne  vpon  your  self. 
Which  is  not  for  your  safety. 

LADY.  Syr,  good  night.  \J^^^^^ 

L.  AVERNE.  How  goes  the  hower?  20 

DENIS.  'Tis  allmost  tenn. 

L.  AVERNE.  The  tyme  of  our  appointment.  You  attend 
Vpon  his  knocks,  and  giue  him  free  admittans; 
Beinge  entred,  vsher  him  into  this  place. 

That  doon,  returne  [^then^  to  your  ladye's  chamber;  as 

There  locke  your  self  fast  in. 

MAYDE.  My  lorde,  I  shall. — 
Poore  fryare,  I  feare  they'l  putt  thee  to  thy  penance 
Before  they  have  confest  thee.  [|6!v//.] 

L.  AVERNE.  Com,  withdrawc; 
The  watchwoorde's  not  yet  giuen. 

£nter  the  f  r  y  a  r  with  a  letter. 

F.  JHON.  'Tis  her  owne  pen.  I  knewe  it,  synce  shee  sett  3° 

24  vsher]  refer  B.  28  [£>//.]  Om.  B. 


Scene  1 1 1.'}  The  Quptives,  95 

Her  hand  to  establishe  our  fowndation; 

And,  sweete  soule,  shee  hath  writt  a  second  tyme 

To  build  mee  vpp  anewe.  My  Lord  is  ridd 

A  three  dayes  jorney;  loose  not  this  advantadge^ 

But  take  tyme  by  the  fore-topp —  yes,  I  will,  3S 

By  the  fore-topp  and  topp-gallant.  At  the  postorne 

Shee  to  whose  hand  you  gave  your  letter^  Fryar^ 

Attends  for  your  dispatch — my  busines 

I  hope  shal  bee  dispatcht  then.  Fare  you  well; 

Fayle mee  this  night  and  ever —  I'l  sooner  forfett  4° 

All  pleasures,  hopes,  preferments,  with  th'  assurance 

Of  a  longe  lyfe  blest  with  most  happy  howers. 

Then  this  one  night's  contentment. 

[^Cnter  mayde.] 

M  AYDE.  Ha,  whoe's  theire? 
Fryar  Jhon? 

F.  JHON.  The  same.  You,  Mystresse  Millisent, 
My  ladye's  gentlewoman? 

MAYDE.  I  am  the  closett  45 

That  treasures  all  her  counsells. 

F.  JHON.  Is  all  cleare? 

MAYDE.  As  such  a  dark  night  can  bee — to  one,  I  feare, 
That  scarce  will  looke  on  daye  more. 

F.  JHON.  Where's  my  lady? 

MAYDE.  Attends  you  in  her  chamber. 

F.  J H o  N.  Guide  mee  too't, 
Nay,  quickly,  guirle  —  how  I  allredy  surfett  5° 

In  this  night's  expedation! 

MAYDE.  Staye  you  heare 
In  this  withdraweinge  roome;  I'l  fetch  a  light 

43   [6V?/£T  MAYDE.]]    Orn.   B. 


96  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  iil 

For  safeguard  of  your  shinnes. 

DENIS.  Shee  might  have  sayde 
For  safeguard  of  his  necke. 

MAYDE.  My  sceane's  doon; 
The  next  ad:  lyes  amongst  them.  [^6°^//.]  S5 

F.  jHON.  My  part  dothe  but  beeginne  nowe,  and  I'l  adl  it 
In  exquisite  cleane  Hnnen,  and  this  capp 
Perfum'd  of  purpose,  least  I  should  smell  fryar. 
What  differ  wee  i'  th'  darke,  save  our  shaven  crowne, 
From  gentlemen,  nay,  lords  .^  Nature  hathe  arai'd  vs  60 

As  well  as  the  best  layemen;  why  shoold  lawe 
Restreyne  from  vs  what  is  allowed  to  them  ? 
Lett  it  curbe  fooles  and  idiots,  such  as  througe  folly 
Will  not,  or  nycenes  dare  not,  tast  what's  sweete, 
Alyke  made  for  all  pallats. 

L.  AVERNE.  Howe  the  slave  65 

Insults  in  his  dam[;;n^ation!  Cease  the  wretch; 
I  can  indure  no  longer. 

F.  JHON.  Such  as  ban 
Proffred  delights  may,  if  they  please,  refuse; 
What's  borne  with  mee  I  will  make  bold  to  vse. 

L.  AVERNE.  And  I  what  thou  weart  borne  too,  that's  a  halter.  7° 
Pull  without  feare  or  mercy ;  strangle  him 
With  all  his  sinnes  about  him.  T'were  not  elce 
A  revendge  woorthe  my  fury.  C^^^-  strangled. 

DENNIS.  I  dare  nowe 
Lodge  him  a  whole  night  by  my  syster's  syde; 
Hee's  nowe  past  strompettinge. 

L.  AVERNE. 'Tis  night  with  him,  is 

A  longe  and  lastinge  night. 

DENNIS.  Hee  lyes  as  quiet. 

58  Perfum'd]  Proffred  B. 


Scene  III.'}  The  QaptivCS,  ()J 

You  did  well,  fryare,  to  putt  on  your  cleane  linnen; 
'Twill  serve  you  as  a  shrowde  for  a  new  grave. 
Whether  shall  wee  lyft  his  body? 

L.  AVERNE.  I  am  on  the  suddeine 
Growne  full  of  thoughts;  the  horror  of  the  fadt  80 

Breedes  strange  seditions  in  mee. 

DENNIS.  Hee  perhapps 
But  conterfetts  dead  sleep.  I'l  hollowe  to  him 
To  see  if  I  can  wake  him. 

L.  AVERNE.  Trifle  not; 
The  sinne  will  proove  more  serious.  To  a  consciens 
Startled  with  bloodd  and  murder,  what  a  terror  85 

Is  in  the  deede,  beeing  doone,  which  bredd  beefore 
Boathe  a  delight  and  longinge!  This  sadd  spedacle, 
Howe  itt  affrights  mee! 

DENNIS.  ^Lett's  remove  itt)]  then. 

L.  AVERNE.  The  sinne  it  self,  the  churche's  maledidlion, 
As  doone  to  one  of  a  sequestred  lyfe  90 

And  holly  order,  the  lawe's  penalty, 
Beinge  duble  forfeture  of  lyfe  and  state. 
Reproach,  shame,  infamy,  all  these  incur'd 
Through  my  inconsiderate  rashnes! 

DENIS.  My  lyfe,  too. 
Howe  to  prevent  the  danger  of  all  these?  95 

L.  AVERNE.  Ey,  that  will  aske  much  breyne,  much  projed:. 

DENIS.  Sir, 
Shall  we  poppe  him  in  som  privy? 

L.  AVERNE.  Duble  injurye, 
To  praye  vpon  the  soule  and  after  deathe 
Doo  to  the  body  such  discoortesy; 

84,  85  To  .  .  .  murder]  Scored  through  in  MS. 


98  The  Qaptives,  \^AaiiL 

It  neather  savours  of  a  generous  spyritt  100 

Nor  that  which  wee  call  manly. 

DENIS.  Any  thinge 
For  a  quiet  lyfe,  but  this  same  wryneckt  death, 
That  which  still  spoyles  all  drinkeinge,  'tis  a  thinge 
I  never  coold  indure;  as  you  are  noble, 
Keepe  still  my  wind-pype  open. 

L.  AVERNE.  Out  of  many,  105 

Museinge  for  boath  our  safetyes,  I  have  fownd 
One  that's  aboue  the  rest  most  probable. 

DENIS.  What,  what,  I  praye,  syr? 

L.  AVERNE.  Interupt  mee  not. 
Saye  I  should  nowe  begett  a  stratagem 

To  save  myne  owne  lyf,  myne  estate  and  goodds,  "o 

Ey,  and  secure  thee,  too? 

DENIS.  'Twere  exellent,  syr. 

L.  AVERNE.  I  have  projedt  for  all  these,  as  willingely 
To  lengCt^hen  boathe  our  lyves,  and  limitt  vs 
Tyme  to  repent  his  deathe. 

DENIS.  But  howe,  I  praye,  syr? 

L.  AVERNE.  Ey,  there's  the  difficulty — but  nowe  I  hav't.        "s 
Beetwixt  vs  and  the  cloyster's  but  one  wall. 
And  that  of  no  greate  height;  coold  wee  in  private 
Conveighe  this  fryar  into  the  monastery, 
Itt  might  bee  then  imadgin'd  som  of  them 

Might  bee  his  deathe's-man;  which  might  seeme  more  probableizo 
Bycause,  as  I  had  late  intelligens, 
Theare  hathe  bin  stryfe  amongst  them. 

DENIS.  Better  still. 

L.  AVERNE.  Nowe  howe  can  wee  incurr  the  least  susped:? 

106  Museinge]  museings  B.  (See  note.')  109  Saye]  Staye  B. 


Scene  III.'}  The  QaptlVCS,  99 

For  what  should  hee  doo  from  the  fryary, 

Or  what  make  heare  att  this  vnseasoned  hower?  115 

DENNIS.  I  apprehende  thee;  and,  to  further  this, 
In  the  backe  yard  there  is  a  ladder,  syr: 
Mo[;u;]nt  him  vpon  my  back,  and  I'l  conveighe  him 
Where  som,  not  wee,  shall  answer  for  his  deathe. 

L.  AVERNE.  As  desperate  woonds  still  must  have  desperate 
cures,  '30 

So  all  rash  mischeifes  should  have  suddeine  shiftes. 
Wee'l  putt  it  to  the  venter. 

DENNIS.  Mount  him  then; 
ri  once  trye  if  the  ventur  of  a  ladder 
Can  keepe  mee  from  the  halter.  \_Sxeunt^ 

EXPLICIT  ACTUS  TERTIUS. 

1 24  from  the  frvary]  A  corre5l'ion  in  MS.  for  out  of  the  monastery. 

125  make]  seeke  B.  132  the]  ye  B. 


p^  ?vT>?  :-.T>?  ?vn^  :-X^  :-.T^  r-.T^  r-^Tx^  :-s!r^  ^JT-^  :-vT-^  --:-r>?  :-X^  '-.T^?  --,T^  ^V^  ^V. 


^ i«5 

sa--'^r^j'<^,-«>>^.-^»>rt,'v>>^.-».»vs^»>-.  .-«.»>-.  .-»f«^  .-»♦><  .-»»v.  -«»>-.  .-»»'^  .-»»>^  .-»«>-.  -x«*-.  -«»^ 


ACTUS   QUARTUS 
SCENA   PRIMA 

S'nfer  the  c  l  o  w  n  e  . 

CLOWNE.  I  have  left  a  full  coort  behynde  mee,  Mildewe 
pleadinge  of  the  one  syde,  my  mayster  on  the  other,  and 
the  lawyers  fendinge  and  proovinge  on  boathe;  there's 
such  yeallinge  and  balhnge,  I  knowe  not  whether  it  made  any 
deafe  to  heare  it,  but  I  am  suer  I  was  almost  sicke  to  see't.  Whyle  s 
they  are  brablinge  in  the  cittye,  I  am  sent  backe  to  the  villadge 
to  cheare  upp  the  too  y onge  mermaydes ;  for  sy nee  theire  throates 
have  bin  rinchtwith  salt  water,  they  singe  with  nolessesweetenes. 
But  staye ;  I  spy  a  fisherman  drawinge  his  nett  vpp  to  the  shore ; 
ri  slacke  som  of  my  speede  to  see  howe  hee  hathe  spedd  since  lo 
the  last  tempest. 

Enter  the  fisherman. 
FISHER.  I  see  hee  that  nought  venters,  nothinge  gaynes; 
Hee  that  will  bee  awake  when  others  sleepe 
May  sometymes  purchase  what  maye  giue  him  rest, 
When  other  loyterers  shal  be  ford:  to  ryse  is 

Or  perish  through  meeare  want;  as,  for  example, 
Although  the  tempest  frighted  hence  the  fishe, 
I  have  drag'd  some-thinge  without  finne  or  skale 

IZ-I9  I  .  •  .  markett.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 

lOI 


I02  The  Qaptives,  x.'^a  iv. 

May  make  mee  a  good  markett,  Lett  mee  better 

Surveigh  my  pryze;  'tis  of  good  weight  I  feele;  ao 

Now  should  it  bee  some  treasure  I  weare  mayde. 

CLOWNE.  Which  if  it  proove,  Fl  half  marr  you  or  bee  half 
made  with  you. 

FISHER.  Itt  must  bee  gold  by  th'  weight. 

CLOWNE.  If  it  bee  so  heavy,  'tis  ten  to  one  but  I'l  do  you  the  25 
curtesye  to  ease  you  of  part  of  your  burden. 

FISHER.  None  save  my  self  is  guilty  of  this  pryze ; 
'Tis  all  myne  owne,  and  I'l  beethinke  mee  best 
Howe  to  beestowe  of  this  ritch  magazin. 

CLOWNE.  And  I  amstooddinge  too  with  whatlyne,  what  angle,  30 
what  fisguigge,  what  castinge  nett  I  can  share  with  you  in  this 
sea  booty. 

FISHER.  I  will  dissemble,  as  most  ritch  men  doo, 
Pleade  poverty  and  speake  my  mayster  fayre; 
By  out  my  freedom  for  som  little  soom,  35 

And-beeinge  myne  owne  man,  by  lands  and  hows[;es)]. 
That  doon,  to  sea  I'l  rigge  shipps  of  myne  owne, 
And  synce  the  sea  hathe  made  mee  vpp  a  stocke, 
I'l  venter  it  to  sea;  who  knowes  but  I 
In  tyme  may  proove  a  noble  marchant?  4° 

CLOWNE.  Yes,  of  eele  skinnes. — Staye  you,  syrrahe! 

FISHER.  I  knowe  no  fish  of  that  name ;  limpet,  mullett,  congar, 
dolphin,  sharke  I  knowe  and  place;  I  woold  som  body  elce  had 
thy ne ;  for  hearinge,  I  woold  thou  hadst  none,  nor  codd ;  for  smelt, 
thou  art  too  hott  in  my  nose  allredy ;  but  such  a  fishe  cal'd  syrra  4S 
never  came  within  the  compasse  of  my  nett.  What  art  thou,  a 
shrimpe,  a  dogg-fyshe,  or  a  poore  Jhon? 

26  part]  A  correSiion  in  MS.  for  half. 

41  syrrahe]  Syrra,  ho  B.  46  nett]  A  correSiion  in  MS.  for  draught. 


I 


Scene  I.-}  'The  Qaptives.  103 

CLOWNE.  I  am  one  that  watcht  the  tyde  to  knowe  what  thou 
hast  caught,  and  have  mony  in  my  pockett  to  by  thy  draught. 

FISHER.  And  I  am  one,  thou  seest,  that  have  only  an  empty  5° 
wett  nett,  but  not  so  much  as  the  tale  of  a  spratte  at  thys  tyme 
to  sell  for  love  of  mony. 

CLOW.  1  grant  this  is  no  Fryday,  and  I  at  this  tyme  no  cater 
for  the  fishemarkett.  I  only  cam  to  desyre  thy  judgement  and 
consell.  55 

FISHER.  Go  to  the  bench  for  judgement  and  to  the  lawecoorts 
for  consell;  I  am  free  ofneather,  only  one  of  Neptune's  poore 
bastards,  a  spawne  of  the  sea,  and  nowe  gladly  desyres  to  bee 
rydd  of  thee  aland. 

CLOWNE.  Onely  one  question  resolve  mee,  and  T  have  doone.  60 

FISHER.  To  bee  well  ridd  of  thee,  I  care  not  if  I  loose  so  much 
tyme. 

CLOWNE.  But  faythefully. 

FISHER.  As  I  am  honest  peeterman. 

CLOWNE.  Observe  mee  then: 
I  saw  a  theif,  comitting  fellony;  65 

I  knowe  the  mayster  of  the  thinge  was  stolne; 
I  com  vnto  this  theif,  as't  might  bee  thee. 
And  make  this  covenant;  eather  giue  mee  half, 
And  make  mee  sharer,  or  thou  forfettest  all; 

V\  peach  thee  to  the  owner.  In  this  case  7° 

What  may  I  justly  claime.'^ 

FISHER.  Rather  then  forfett  all,  I  shoold  yeild  halfe. 

CLOWNE.  Knowe,  then,  'tis  thy  case,  and  my  case,  a  most  play  ne 
case,  and  concernes  the  booty  in  that  cap-case.  I  knowe  the  lord 
that  wants  it  and  the  mayster  that  owes  it;  boath  howe  it  was  lost  75 
and  where  it  was  lost.  Then  come,  vnloose,  vnbuckle,  vnclaspe, 

48-54  I  .  .  .  fishemarkett.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 

66  stolne]  A  correBion  in  MS. /or  lost.        76  Then]  Om.  B. 


I04  The  Qaptives,  i^Aaiv. 

vncase;  lett's  see  what  fortne  hathe  sente  vs,  and  so  part  it  equal- 
ly beetwixt  vs. 

FISHER.  Staye,  staye,  my  frend;  this  my  case  must  not  be 
open'd  till  your  case  bee  better  lookt  into.  Thou  knowest  who  80 
lost  it,  I  who  fownd  it;  thou  the  lord  of  it  that  was,  I  the  owner 
that  nowe  is;  thou  who  did  possess  it,  I  who  doth  injoye  it;  hee 
hadit,Ihaveit;heemigh[;tnhavekeptit,  I  will  keepe  it;  I  ven- 
ter'd  for  all,  I  will  inherit  all;  and  there's  thy  pittifull  case  layde 
open.  ^5 

CLOWNE.  Fyrst  proove  this  to  bee  thyne. 

FISH.  I  can  and  by  the  fisherman's  rethoricke. 

CLOWNE.  Proceed,  sea-gull. 

FISHER.  Thus,  land-spaniell;  no  man  can  say  this  is  my  fishe 
till  hee  finde  it  in  his  nett.  9° 

CLOWNE.  Good. 

FISHER.  What  I  catche  is  myne  owne,  my  lands,  my  goodds, 
my  copy-hold,  my  fee-simple,  myne  to  sell,  myne  to  giue,  myne 
to  lend,  and  myne  to  cast  away;  no  man  claimes  part,  no  man 
share,  synce  fishinge  is  free  and  the  sea  common.  95 

CLOWNE.  If  allbeecomon  that  the  sea  yeilds,  why  then  is  not 
that  as  much  myne  as  thyne? 

FISHER.  By  thatlawe,  when  we  bringe  our  fishe  to  the  mar- 
kett,  if  every  one  may  freely  chuse  what  hee  lykes  and  take 
where  hee  lyst,  wee  shoold  have  quicly  empty  dorsers  and  cleaneioo 
stalls,  but  light  purses. 

CLOWNE.  How  canst  thou  proove  that  to  bee  a  fishe  that  was 
not  bredd  in  the  water,  that  coold  never  swimme,  that  hathe  nea- 
ther  roe  nor  milt,  scale  nor  finne,  lyfe  nor  motion?  Did  ever 
man  heare  of  a  fishe  cal'd  a  budgett?  What  shape,  what  collar?  105 

FISHER. This  shape,  this  collar ;  there's  rowe  within  better  then 

77  see]  see  then  B. 

96-101]   Marked  for  omission  in  MS.      106  rowe]  nowe  B. 


Scene  I. "^  'The  QaptlvCS,  I05 

the  spawne  of  sturgeon;  I  must  confesse  indeed,  they  are  rare- 
ly seene,  and  seldom  fovvnd;  tor  this  is  the  fyrst  I  ever  catcht  in 
all  the  tyme  of  my  fishinge. 

CLOWNE.  All  this  sea-sophestry  will  not  serve  your  turne,  for  no 
where  my  right  is  detein'd  mee  by  fayre  meanes,  I  will  have  it 
by  force. 

FISHER.  Of  what  I  caught  in  the  sea.^ 

CLOWNE.  Yes, and  what  I  catch  hold  on  ashore. With  whatcon- 
sciens  canst  thou  denye  mee  part  of  the  gaine,  when  the  ownems 
hearinge  it  is  in  thy  custody  and  within  my  knowledge,  must 
eatherfind  mee  a  principall  in  the  theft,  or  at  least  accessary  to 
the  fellony. 

FISHER,  ri  showe  thee  a  redy  waye  to  prevent  boathe. 

CLOWNE.  Howe  that?  no 

FISHER.  Marry,  thus:  go  thou  quietly  thy  way,  I'l  go  peaca- 
bly  myne;  betraye  thou  mee  to  nobody,  as  I  meane  to  impart 
to  thee  nothinge;  seeke  thy  preferment  by  land  as  I  have  doone 
myne  by  sea;  be  thou  mute,  I'l  bee  dombe;  thou  silent,  I  mum- 
budgett;  thou  dismisse  mee,  I'l  acquitte  thee;  so  thou  art  neath-^s 
er  theife  nor  accessary. 

CLOWNE.  Syrrah,  though  you  beeownerof  theboate,  I'l  steare 
my  course  at  healme, 

FISHER.  Hands  off,  I  saye.  But  hark,  a  noyse  within ; 
Lett's  cease  our  controversy  till  wee  see  \JSloyse  within.no 

An  end  of  that. 

CLOWNE.  Trew,  and  be  judg'd  by  the  next  quiet  man  wee 
meete. 

FISHER.  Content. 

Enter y  after  a  noyse ^  or  tumult,  a  s  h  b  u  r  n  e  ,  /6/V  wyfe, 

PALESTRA,  SCRIBONIA,  and  GODFREY. 

1 14  ashore]  A  correSlion  in  MS.  for  aland. 

120  Howe]  How's  B.  130  within]  Om.  B. 


io6  The  Qaptives,  x^Aaiv. 

WOMAN.  I'l  not  beleeve  a  sillable  thou  speak'st.  135 

False  harts  and  false  toonges  go  together  still; 
They  boathe  are  quick  in  thee. 

ASHBURNE.  Have  patience,  woman. 

WOMAN.  I  have  bin  too  longe  a  grizell.  Not  content 
To  have  thy  hawnts  abroad,  where  theire  are  marts 
And  places  of  lewd  brothelry  inough  140 

Wheare  thou  mai'st  wast  thy  body,  purse,  and  creditt, 
But  thou  woold'st  make  thy  private  howse  a  stewes! 

A  SHE.  But  heare  mee,  wyfe. 

WOMAN,  ri  heare  none  but  myselfe. 
Are  your  legges  growne  so  feeble  on  the  suddeine 
They  fayle  when  you  shoold  travell  to  your  whoores,  145 

But  you  must  bringe  them  home  and  keepe  them  heare 
Vnder  my  nose?  I  am  not  so  past  my  sences 
But  at  this  age  can  smell  your  knavery. 

PALESTRA.  Good  woman,  heare's  none  such. 

WOMAN.  Bold  baggadge,  peace! 
'Tis  not  your  turne  to  prate  yet;  lust  and  impudens  150 

I  knowe  still  goe  together.  Showes  itt  well 
In  one  that's  of  thy  yeares  and  gravity, 
That  ought  to  bee  in  lyfe  and  government 
To  others  an  example,  nowe  to  doate 

So  neere  the  grave,  to  walke  beefore  his  doore  155 

With  a  yonge  payer  of  strompetts  at  his  tale! 
Naye,  make  his  honest  and  chast  wyfe  no  better 
Then  a  madam  makareele! 

GODFREY.  Why,  this  storme's  woorse  then  that  vntil'd  the 
howse  1 

ASHBURNE.  But  vnderstand  mee:  160 

I  5  I  - 1  5  8  Showes  .  .  .  makareele  !]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 
154311]  and  MS. 


Scene  1.2  TheQuptives,  107 

Itt  is  meare  pitty  and  no  bad  intent, 
No  vnchast  thought  but  my  meare  charity 
In  the  remembrans  of  our  longe  lost  child, 
To  showe  som  love  to  these  distressed  maydes. 

WOMAN.  Sweete  charity!  Nay,  vsury  withall!  165 

For  one  chvld  lost,  whose  goodnes  might  have  blest 
And  bin  an  honor  to  our  family. 
To  bringe  mee  home  a  cuple  of  loose  thinges! 
I  Icnowe  not  what  to  terme  them,  but  for  thee, 
Owld  fornicator,  that  jad'st  mee  att  home  170 

And  yet  can  find  a  yonge  colt's  toothe  abroad, 
Ould  as  I  am,  myne  eyes  are  not  so  dimme 
But  can  discerne  this  without  spectacles. 
Hence  from  my  gate,  you  syrens  com  from  sea. 
Or  as  I  lyve  I'l  washe  your  paintinges  off,  175 

And  with  hotte  skaldinge  water  instantly.  \_8xit. 

GODFREY.  Nay  then,  sweet-harts,  you  canott  staye;  you 
have  had  could  interteinment. 

PALESTRA.  The  land's  to  vs  as  dreadfull  as  the  seas. 
For  wee  are  heare,  as  by  the  billowes,  tost  180 

From  one  feare  to  another. 

ASHBURNE.  Pfcty  sowles, 
Despyer  not  you  of  comfort;  I'l  not  leave  you 
To  the  least  danger  till  som  newes  returne 
From  him  that  vndertakes  your  patronadge. 
You,  syrrah,  vsher  them  vnto  the  fryeary,  185 

Whence  none  dares  force  them.  I  have  a  curst  wyf  you  see. 
And  better  you  then  I  take  sandiuary. 

scRiBON.  Wee  will  bee  sweyde  by  you  as  one  in  whome 
Wee  yet  have  fownd  all  goodnes. 

1 64  maydes]  maydens  B.  171  find]  fend  [r]  B. 

186  curst]  cross  B. 


io8  The  Qaptives,  i^Aaiv. 

ASH  BUR.  Leave  them  theire 
To  safety;  then  returne.  190 

\£xeunt  palestra,  scribonia,  and  Godfrey.] 

CLOWNE.  What  say'st  thou  to  this  gentleman? 

fisher.  No  man  better.  —  Now  it  will  go  on  my  syde;  this 
is  my  owne  mayster,  suer  hee  cannott  bee  so  vnaturall  to  giue 
sentens  against  his  owne  naturall  servant. — Syr,  good  daye. 

ashburne.  Gramercyes,  I  in  troth  much  suffered  for  thee,i9S 
Knowinge  howe  rashly  thou  expos'd  thy  selt 
To  such  a  turbulent  sea. 

CLOWNE.  I  lykewyse,  syr,  salute  you. 

ashb.  Thanks,  good  frend. 

CLOWNE.  But,  syr,  is  this  your  servant? 

fisher.  Yes,  syrrahe,  and  this  my  mayster.  200 

CLOWNE.  Then  I  have  nothinge  at  this  tyme  to  doo  with  thee. 

FISHER.  Marry,  a  good  motion;  farewell  and  bee  hangde. 

CLOWNE.  Wee  are  not  so  easily  parted.  — Is  this  your  man? 

ASHBURNE.  Ycs,  I  acknowledge  him; 
And  thou  I  thinke  beelongst  to  Mr.  Raphael,  205 

Imployde  about  these  women? 

CLOWNE.  Yes,  I  acknowledge  it;  but  you  are  suer  hee's  yours  ? 

ASHBURNE.  Once  againe  I  doo  confesse  him  myne. 

CLOWNE.  Then  heare  mee  speake. 

FISHER.  Heare  mee,  your  servant,  fyrst. 

^ASHBURNE.]]  Say,  what's  the  stryfe? 

CLOWNE.  Marry,  who  fyrst  shall  speake.  *^2io 

FISHER.  That's  I. 

CLOWNE.  I  appeale  then  to  the  curtesy  due  to  a  stranger. 

190  \8xeunt  .  .  .  Godfrey]]  €xt.  tna:  Ashb.  MS.  B. 
200-203]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS.  200  this  my]  thy  B. 

209-213  fyrst  .  .  .  servant.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS.  and  replaced  by  what 
ere  ...  .  209  fyrst]  Om.  B. 


Scene  /.]  'The  Qaptivcs,  I  09 

FISHER.  And  I  to  the  right  belonginge  toa  howshouCld;]  serv- 
ant. 

ASH  BUR.  V\  heare  the  stranger  fyrst. 

CLOWNE.  In  this  you  doo  but  justyce.   I  pray  tell  mee, — 215 
Cy;]ou  vente^r  on  the]  sea, — is  this  a  fishe  or  no?  Or,  if  a  fishe, 
what  fishe  do  you  call  it.-*  (Peace,  you.) 

ASH  BU  R.  It  is  no  fishe  nor  fleshe. 

CLOWNE.  Nor  good  redd  herringe — fisherman,  y'are  gone. 

FISHER.  Thou  art  deceav'd;  I  am  heare  still,  and  may  haveiio 
heare  for  ought  I  knowe  to  by  all  the  redd  herringe  in   Mar- 
cell^is]. 

CLOWNE.  Did  you  ever  heare  of  a  fishe  cal'd  a  budgett? 

ASH  BUR.  I  protest  never  synce  I  knew  the  sea, 

CLOWNE.  You  are  gone  againe,  fisherman.  225 

FISHER.  I  am  heare  still;  and,  nowe,  master,  heare  mee. 

CLOWNE.  Lett  mee  proceed.  This  bagge,  this  knappsacke,  or 
this  portmantua  hee  woold  make  a  fishe  bycause  tooke  in  his 
nett.  Nowe,  syr,  I  com  to  you  with  this  ould  proverbe:  all's  not 
fishe  that  coms.  to  nett. — There  you  are,  gone  agayn.  230 

FISHER.  But — 

CLOWNE.  No  butt,  nor  turbutt.  I  suspedt  this  budgett  to  be  the 
bawde's,  in  which  are  the  discoveryes  of  this  yonge  woman's 
coontry  and  parents.  Nowe,  syr,  for  their  sakes,  for  my  mays- 
ter's  sake,  for  all  our  sakes  vse  the  authority  of  a  mayster  to^ss 
searche,  and  showe  the  power  you  have  over  a  servant  to  com- 
and. 

\J^nter  godfrey.]] 

ASH  BUR.  Will  hee  or  not,  hee  shall  assent  to  that. 

FISHER.  A  meere  trick  to  vndoo  mee,  ere  I  knowe  what  I 
am  wanting.  240 

2  I  3  howshou[ld]  servant].  .  .  what  ere  he  says  B. 

2 1 6  [y]ou  vente[r  on  the]]  .  .  .  B.  2  3  3  are  the]  are  the  the  MS. 

237  \^S'nter  Godfrey.]]  Om.  B.  239  fisher]  clow ne  MS.  B. 


1 1  o  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  if. 

A  s  H  B .  Call  in  the  damseles ; 
Intreate  them  fay  rely  heather.  Say  wee  hope 
We  shall  have  good  newes  for  them.  \^£xit  Godfrey.] 

FISHER.  I  will  part  with  it  only  on  this  condition,  that  if  there 
bee  nothinge  in  it  which  concernes  them,  the  rest  may  returne24S 
to  mee  vnrifled  and  vntutcht. 

A  SHE.  Did  it  conteyne  the  valew  of  a  myne 
I  clayme  no  part  in  it. 

FISH.  Nor  you? 

CLOWNE.  Nor  I. 

FISHER.  By  the  contents  of  this  budgett. 

CLOWNE.  I  sweare. 

ASHB.  I  vowe. 

FISHER.  Then  there,  tak't  to  you,  mayster,  and  once  moreaso 
good  luck  on  my  syde! 

Enter  Godfrey,  vsheringe  in  palestra  and  scribonia. 

PALEST.  You  sent  to  speake  with  vs  ? 

ASHB.  I  did  indeed; 
Saye,  knowe  you  this?  Y'have  leave,  surveigh  it  well. 

PALESTRA.  This?  knowe  I  this?  Oh,  my  Scribonia,  see! 
Yes,  and  by  this  alone  may  knowe  my  self.  255 

Looke  well  vpon't,  deare  syster.  Extasy 
May  dimme  myne  eyes;  it  canot  purblind  thyne. 

scRiB.  Itt  is  the  same.  Palestra.  ^ 

fisher.  Then  suer  I  shall  not  bee  the  same  man  in  the  after- 
noone  that  I  was  in  the  morninge.  260 

scRiBO.  In  this  is  a  greate  masse  of  wealthe  included. 
All  that  the  bawde  hathe  by  corruption  gott 
In  many  a  thrifty  yeare. 

fisher.  Comfort  for  mee. 

ashbur.  But  tell  mee,  is  there  ought  of  yours  included, 

243   [(SjrzV  GODFREY.]]   Om.  B. 


Scene  1.2  T'/jB  QclptiveS.  I  I  I 

Which  you  may  justly  chalendge? 

PALESTRA.  Of  that  gould,  265 

No  not  the  valevve  ot  one  poor  deneere: 

'Tis  all  base  brokadge  boath  of  sinne  and  shame 

Of  which  wee  neare  weare  guilty;  yet  inclosed 

There  shall  you  find  a  cabinet  of  myne, 

Where  boathe  my  naturall  parents  you  may  see  270 

In  a  small  roome  intruded. 

FISHER.  An  vnatrall  child  thou  art  to  thrust  thy  naturall  par- 
ents into  a  leatheren  bagge  and  leave  them  in  the  bottom  of  y*" 
sea. 

PALEST.  Showe  mee  the  caskett;  if  beefore  you  ope  it  275 

I  do  not  name  you  every  parcell  in't, 
Lett  it  no  more  be  myne;  mak't  your  owne  pryse. 
But  such  small  trifles  as  I  justly  chalenge 
And  canott  yeild  you  the  least  benefitt, 

Of  them  lett  mee  bee  mystresse,  synce  they  are  280 

The  somme  and  crowne  of  all  my  future  hopes, 
But  from  my  tender  infancy  detein'd. 
As  for  the  gould  and  Jewells,  make't  your  spoyle; 
Of  that  I  clayme  no  portione. 

FISHER.  I  accept  of  the  condition. 

ASHBURNE.  Itt  is  boathe  just  and  honest;  i'th'  meane  tyme,285 
Virgin,  stand  you  aloofe;  wee'l  have  no  juggling. 
And,  Gripus,  synce  the  busines  concernes  you, 
Have  you  a  curious  ey  too't. 

FISHER.  Feare  not  mee,  for  boathe  at  sea  and  land  I  was  ever 
a  goodd  marksman.  290 

ASH  BUR,  The  caskett  is  nowe  open'd;  what  coms  fyrst? 

PALEST.  Aboue,  the  clothes  in  which  I  fyrst  was  swathde, 

271  intruded]  intended  B.  272  thrust]  trust  B. 

285,  286  i'th'  .,  .  aloofe]  Om.  B. 


1 1 2  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  if. 

The  linnen  fyrst  worne  in  myne  infancy. 

ASH  BUR.  These  are  child's  swathinges;  whether  thyne  or  no 
It  is  to  mee  vncerteine.  To  the  rest!  ^95 

PALESTR.  And  next  to  these  is  a  ritche  handkercher, 
Where  you  shall  find  in  golden  letters  wrought 
My  place  of  byrthe,  myne  and  my  father's  name. 

ASHB.  Heare's  such  a  handkercher,  such  letters  workt; 
Speake  them,  as  I  shall  reade  them. 

PALEST.  Mirable.  30° 

ASHB.  Right!  Myrable. 

PALESTRA.  Doughter  of  Jhon  Ashburne,  marchant. 

ASHBURNE.  Trcwc :  of  Jhon  Ashburne,  marchant. — Oh  my 
sowle! 
— Proceed,  prithee  proceede. 

PALESTRA.  And  borne  in  Christ-chyrch,  London,  Anno — 

ASHB.  1530.  305 

Oh  you  imortall  powers.  I  stagger  yet 
Beetwixt  dispayer  and  hope,  and  canott  guesse 
Which  waye  my  fate  will  swaye  mee;  oh  speake,  speake! 
Thy  mother's  name? 

PALEST.  Reade  it  in  sylver  le^^ters  play nly  wrought  31° 

In  the  next imbrodered  linnen. 

A  s  H  B .  If  that  fayle  not, 
I  then  have  a  firme  rock  to  build  vpon. — 
The  guift  of  Isabell  to  her  doughter,  Mirable. — 
Oh  frend,  oh  servant!  • 

CLOWNE.  Howe  is't,  syr? 

FISHER.  H  ow  now,  may ster  ? 

ASHB.  I  that  so  many  yeares  have  bin  despoyl'd,  315 

Necledted,  shattered,  am  made  vpp  againe, 
Repaired,  and  new  created. 

305  1530]  Acorre£lionin  MS. for  1600.  i6o(?)o  B.  312  then]  Om.  B. 


Scene  I.-}  "The  Qaptives,  i  i  3 

PA  LESTRA.  Search  hut  further 
And  there's  a  golden  brooch  in  it,  a  diamond, 
Vpon  my  byrthday  giuen  mee  by  my  father. 

A  s  H  B  u .  I  have  longe  sought  and  nowe  at  lengthe  have  found  3*° 
That  diamond,  thee  my  doughter. 

PALESTRA.  How,  syr? 

ASH  BUR.  Shee  that  so  late  excluded  thee  my  howse 
And  shutt  these  gates  against  thee,  Isabell, 
Thy  mother,  these  weare  her  owne  handyworkes 
Beestowde  vpon  thee  in  thyne  infancy  3*5 

To  make  vs  nowe  boathe  happy  in  thy  groath. 
I  am  Jhon  Ashburne,  marchant,  London,  Christ  Church; 
The  yeare,  place,  tyme  agree  thee  to  bee  myne, 
Oh  mirhor  of  thy  sex,  my  Myrable! 

PALEST.  This  surplusadge  of  joy  should  not  bee  feign'd.         330 

ASHB.  No  more  then  these  noates  are  infallible. 

PALEST.  Thus  then  in  all  humility  I  kneele 
To  you  my  acknowledg'd  father. 

ASHB.  Ryse,  my  guirle. 

Fi  s  H  E  R .  Had  I  not  drawne  this  leiward  C?)]  out  of  the  sea,  where 
had  it  bin?  All  drownd  by  this.  335 

ASHB.  No  triflinge  nowe;  post,  Godfrey,  to  my  wyfe. 
Tell  her  no  more  then  thou  hast  heard  and  seene. 
Shee's  hard  of  faythe;  relate  it  puCn^ldtually. 
Beare  her  (oh  lett  mee  borrowe  them  so  longe) 
These  better  to  confirme  her;  bid  her  hast,  34° 

And  for  the  truth  add  these  as  testimony — 
Nay,  art  thou  heare  still? 

GODFREY.  Lyke  a  shadowe  vanisht, 
But  to  returne  a  substance.  [!<^-'^^^*!] 

326  groath]  yoouth  B.  330  feign'd]  forged  B. 

343  [fj;'/V.]]  [(Ta-// GODFREY.   B. 


1 1 4  T'he  Qaptives,  x_^Aa  if. 

A  s  H  B .  Oh,my  deare  doughter ! — where's  yong  Raphael's  man? 
Beare  him  of  all  what  thou  hast  scene  a  perfect  345 

And  trew  relation. 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  syr, 

ASHB.  Bidd  him,  too, 

All  business  sett  apart,  make  hether 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  syr. 

ASHB.  Tell  him  that  his  Palestra  is  my  Mirable. 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  syr. 

ASHB.  And  that  shee  is  my  doughter,  my  lost  child.  350 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  syr. 

ASHB.  And  that  of  all  this  I  am  most  assur'd. 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  syr. 

ASHB.  Thou  wilt  not  doo  all  this? 

CLOW.  I  will;  you  lye,  syr. 

ASHB.  Howe,  syr?  35s 

CLOW.  Ey,  syr. 

ASHB.  Say  that  this  daye  shee  shal  be  made  his  wyfe. 

CLOWNE.  Ey,  syr. 

ASHB.  Why  then  add  winges  vnto  your  heeles  and  fly,  syr. 

CLOWNE.  Ay,  syr,  but  ere  I  take  my  flight,  for  this  good  serv-360 
yce, 
You'l  mediate  with  him  for  my  freedom? 

ASHBUR.  So. 

CLOWNE.  And  woo  your  doughter  to  doo  so  too  ? 

ASH.  So. 

CLOWNE.  And  saye  to  him  I  shal  be  thankefull. 

ASH.  So. 

CLOWNE.  Your  doughter's  and  your  servant  ever. 

ASHB.  So.  365 

CLOWNE.  To  go,  roonne,  ryde  of  all  your  arrants. 

364  saye]  syr  B.  365  your]  your  your  MS. 


Scene  /.]  'The  Qciptives,  I  I  5 

ASH.  So. 

CLOWNE.  In  all  this  you'l  bee  slack  in  nothinge? 

ASH.  So. 

CLOWNE.  And  you'l  heareafter  love  mee  still? 

ASHB.  So,  so. 

CLOWNE.  Howe,  but  so,  so. -* 

ASHB.  Yes,  so  and  so  and  so. 

CLOWNE.  Why,  then  I  go,  go,  goe.  [|6x//.]37o 

ASHBU.  But  one  thinge  1  intreate  you,  Mirable: 
This  thyrteene  yeares,  synce  by  rude  creditors 
Tost  and  opprest,  naye  rent  out  of  myne  owne, 
I  have  bin  for6t  to  seeke  my  fate  abroad, 

Howe  weare  you  ravisht  thence,  or  since  that  tyme  375 

What  strange  adventures  past? 

Snter  Godfrey  and  the  wyf^  with  the  handkerch\_er^ 

M  iRABLE.  My  mother's  presence 
Must  now  prevent  my  answer. 

WYFE.  Where  is  shee?  oh  wheare,  wheare?  For  by  these  tok- 
ens, 
These  of  her  childhood,  most  vnfallid  signes, 
I  knowe  her  for  my  doughter. 

MIRABLE.  I  have  bin  3^° 

The  longe  and  wretched  owner  of  that  cabinet 
With  all  therein  contein'd. 

WIFE.  Into  thy  boosom 
Oh  lett  mee  rayne  a  shower  of  joyfull  teares 
To  welcom  thee,  my  Mirable. 

GODFREY.  You  threatned  her  but  nowe  with  skaldinge  water;38s 
mee  thinks  you  had  more  neede  to  comfort  her  with  hott  waters, 
for  suer  shee  canott  bee  warme  synce  shee  came  so  late  out  of  the 
could  bathe. 

370  [f;f //.]][£>/■/ CLOWN.  B. 


1 1 6  The  Qaptives,  X^Aa  iv. 

WYF.  Make  fyares,  bid  them  make  ready  wholesom  brothes, 
Make  warme  the  bedd,  and  see  the  sheetes  well  ayred.  390 

Att  lengthe  then  have  I  fownd  thee? 

ASHB.  But  what's  shee 
That's  in  thy  fellow-shippe? 

MIR  ABLE.  My  fellowe  sharer 
In  all  misfortunes;  and  for  many  yeares 
So  deere  to  mee,  I  canot  tast  a  blessednes 
Of  which  shee's  not  partaker. 

WYF.  For  thy  sake  395 

Shee  shall  bee  myne  too,  and  (in  her)  I'l  thinke 
The  powers  aboue  have  for  my  single  losse 
Giuen  mee  at  lengthe  a  duble  recompence. 

scRiBO.  For  which  hee  that  prote6ls  all  inocence 
Will  in  good  tyme  reward  you. 

WYFE.  Praye,  in,  in;  400 

This  could  is  prejuditiall  to  your  healthes. 
I'l  count  you  boathe  my  twinnes, 

\JSxeunt  []wiFE,  palestra,  and  scribonia.] 

ASH.  Strange  alteration! 
Skoldinge  is  turn'd  to  pitty,  spleen  and  mallyce 
To  mercye  and  compassion. 

FISHER.  But  your  promisse  tutchinge  my  budgett?  405 

ASHB.  Godfreye,  beare  it  in 
And  lodge  it  safe;  there's  nowe  no  tyme  for  that; 
Wee'l  talke  of  it  herafter. 

GODFREY.  Fellowe  Gripus,  I  am  made  for  this  tyme  porter. 
Ladeys,  your  trusty  treasurer.  41° 

\_£xeunt  [^ashbourne  and  Godfrey.]] 

GRIPUS.  These  are  the  fishermen,  and  I  the  fishe  catcht  in  the 

402  Sxeuni\  Exit  MS.  Cxt.B.  407  nowe]  Om.  B. 

410  Exeunt]  Exit  MS.  Ext.  B. 


Scene  1.'}  The  Qaptivcs,  117 

nett;  well  my  comfort  is,  though  my  booty  have  made  mee  no 
ritcher  then  I  was,  poorer  then  I  am  I  canott  bee.  Nowe  wherin 
is  the  ritche  more  happy  then  the  poore?  I  thinke  rather  lesse 
blessed,  and  that  shall  appeare  by  this  exeilent  good  ballet,4JS 
though  sett  to  a  scurvy  tune. 

Lett  ech  man  speake  as  he's  possest; 

I  hold  the  poore  man's  state  most  blest. 

For  if  longe  lyfe  contentment  breedes, 

In  that  the  poore  the  ritche  exceedes;  410 

The  ritch  man's  dayes  are  short,  as  spent 

In  pleasures  and  supposed  content; 

Whylest  to  vs  poore  men  care  and  treble 

Makes  every  hower  wee  wast  seeme  duble. 

He  that  hathe  ech  daye  to  his  backe  4^5 

Chandge  of  gaye  suites,  whylst  wee,  alacke, 

Have  but  one  coate,  that  coorse  and  ould, 

Yet  it  defends  vs  from  the  could; 
As  warme,  too,  in  an  equU  eye 

As  they  in  all  theire  purple  dye;  430 

'Mongst  all  theire  store,  they  weare,  wee  see, 

But  one  att  one,  and  so  do  wee. 
The  ritch  that  at  his  table  feasts 

With  choyse  of  dayntyes,  sundry  guests, 

In  all  his  plenty  can  but  fill  43s 

On^e^  belly;  so  the  poore  can  still 

With  cheese  and  onions,  and  disguest 

As  well  with  them  as  th'  others  feast. 

The  pesent  with  his  homespoon  lasse 

As  many  merry  howers  may  passe  440 

41  3-416  Nowe  ....  tune.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 

41  5  appeare]  approue  B. 

41  7-446]  Apparently  marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


ii8  The  Qaptives,  i^Aaiv. 

As  coortiers  with  there  sattin  guides, 

Though  ritchly  ded  in  gould  and  pearles; 

And,  though  but  playne,  to  purpose  wooe. 

Nay  oft  tymes  with  lesse  danger  too. 
And  yet  for  all  this  I  have  one  crotchett  left  in  my  pate  to  bate  44s 
a  new  hooke  for  the  gold  in  the  portmantua.  C<^''^^^0 

ACTUS  QUARTUS 
SCENA  SECUNDA 

8nter  d  e  n  n  i  s ,  with  the  f  r  y  a  r  ^from  aboue^  vpon  his  backe. 

DENNIS.  Whether  a  knavishe  or  a  sinnefull  load. 
Or  one  ore  boathe,  I  knowe  not;  massye  it  is. 
And  if  no  frend  will  for  mee,  I'll  bee  sorry 
For  myne  owne  heavinesse.  And  heare's  a  place, 
Though  neather  of  the  secretest  nor  the  best,  s 

To  vnlade  my  self  of  this  iniquity. 
When  I  satt  late  astryde  vpon  the  wall. 
To  lyft  the  ladder  this  waye  for  descent, 
Mee  thought  the  fryar  lookt  lyke  S.  George  a  horsbacke. 
And  I  his  trusty  steede.  But  nowe's  no  triflynge:  10 

Hee's  where  hee  is  in  commons,  wee  dischardg'd, 
Boathe  of  susped  and  murther;  which  lett  the  covent 
To-morrow  morninge  answer  howe  they  cann. 
ri  back  the  waye  wee  came;  what's  doon,  none  sawe 
r  th'  howse  nor  heare;  they  answer  then  the  lawe.  15 

\JSxit. 

445  pate]  fate  B.  scena  secunda]  Scena  3a  MS.B. 

3  will  for  mee]  A  correction  in  MS.  for  at  this  tyme. 

I  3  howe  they  cann]  A  correSiion  in  MS.  for  for  my  guest[?]. 

1 5  heare]  herde  B.        lawe]  Lawyer  B. 


Scene  11.-]  The  QuptivCS ,  IIC; 

8nter  f  r  v  a  r  r  i  c  h  a  r  d. 
F.  RICH.  Of  all  infirmitvtrs  bclonginge  to  vs 
I  hould  those  woorst  that  will  not  lett  a  man 
Rest  in  his  bedd  a-nights.  And  I  of  that, 
By  reason  of  a  late  could  I  have  gott, 

Am  at  this  instant  gulty;  which  this  rysinge  lo 

From  a  warme  bedd  in  these  could,  frosty  nights 
Rather  augments  then  helpes;  but  all  necessityes 
Must  bee  obev'd.  But  soft,  there's  one  before  mee; 
By  this  small  glimps  of  moone-light  I  perceave  him 
To  bee  Fryar  Jhon,  my  antient  adversary.  25 

Why,  Jhon?  why,  brother?  what?  not  spealce?  Nay,  then, 
I  see  'tis  doon  of  mallyce,  and  of  purpose 
Only  to  shame  mee,  since  hee  knowes  the  rest 
Take  notyce  what  a  loose  man  1  am  growne. 

Nay,  prithee,  sweete  Fryar  Jhon,  1  am  in  hast,  3° 

Horrible  hast;  doo  but  release  mee  nowe, 
I  am  thy  frend  for  ever.  What!  not  heare! 
Feigne  to  bee  deaf  of  purpose,  and  of  slight! 
Then  heare  is  that  shall  rowse  you.  Are  you  falne? 

\^£ather  strykes  him  with  a  staffe  or  casts  a  stone. 
What,  and  still  mute  and  sylent?  nay,  not  styrr?  35 

ri  rowse  you  with  a  vengance!  not  one  limbe 
To  doo  his  woonted  offyce,  foot  nor  hand? 
Not  a  pulse  beatinge,  no  breathe?  what,  no  motion? 
Oh  mee  of  all  men  lyvinge  most  accurst! 

I  have  doon  a  fearefull  murder,  which  our  former  40 

Inveterate  hate  will  be  a  thousand  testats 
That  I  for  that  insidiated  his  lyfe. 
The  deede's  apparant,  and  the  offens  past  pardon. 

20  rysinge]  rushinge  B.  2  i  could]  wild  B. 

26  brother]  Jhon  B.       Nay]  why  B. 


1 20  'The  Qaptives,  X^Aa  if. 

There's  nowe  no  way  but  fly.  But  fly!  Which  way? 

The  cloyster  gates  are  all  bar'd  and  fast  lockt;  45 

These  suddeine  mischeifes  should  have  suddeine  shifts. 

About  it  brayne  and  in  good  tyme.  I  ha'te! 

Suspitious  r[;u^mors  have  bin  lately  spread 

And  more  then  whispered  of  th'  incontinent  love 

Fryar  Jhon  boare  the  knight's  lady.  Had  I  meanes  50 

Howe  to  conveighe  his  body  ore  the  wall 

To  any  or  the  least  part  of  the  howse, 

It  might  bee  thought  the  knight  in  jelosy 

Had  doon  this  murder  in  a  just  revendge. 

Let  me  surveighe  th'  ascent:  happy  occation!  55 

To  see  howe  redy  still  the  devil  1  is 

To  helpe  his  servants!  Heare's  a  ladder  left: 

Vpp,  Fryare,  my  purpose  is  to  admitt  you  nowe 

Of  a  newe  cloyster,  I  will  sett  his  body 

Vpright  in  the  knight's  porche  and  leave  my  patron  60 

To  answer  for  the  fait,  that  hathe  more  strength 

Then  I  to  tugge  with  benshes. 

]^€xit.  Carry  him  vp. 
Enter  the  knight,  halfvnredy,  his  lady  after  him. 

D 'a VERNE.  Ho,  Dennis ! 

LADY,  Giue  mee  reason,  I  intreate, 
Of  these  vnquiet  sleepes. 

d' A  VERNE.  You  dogg  mec,  lady, 
Lyke  an  ill  genius. 

LADY.  You  weare  woont  to  call  mee  65 

Your  better  angell. 

d'averne.  So  I  shall  doo  still. 
Would  you  beetake  you  to  your  quiet  sleepes 
And  leave  mee  to  my  wakeinges. 

50  boare]  boare  to  B. 


^ 


Scene  ii.^  The  Qaptlves,  I  2  I 

LADY.  There  beelonges 
Vnto  one  bedd  so  sweete  a  sympathy, 
I  canott  rest  without  you. 

d'averne. To  your  chamber!  70 

There  may  growe  elce  a  worse  antypathy 
Betwixt  vour  love  and  mvne;  I  tell  you,  lady, 
Myne  is  no  woman's  busines.  No  reply! 
Your  least  inforced  presence  att  this  tyme 

Will  but  begett  what  you  would  loathe  to  beare,  75 

Qiiarrell  and  harshe  vnkindnes. 

LADY.  Ever  your  lipps 
Have  bin  too  mee  a  lawe.  —  I  suspe6t  more 
Then  I  woold  apprehend  with  willingenes; 
But  though  prevention  canott  helpe  what's  past, 
Conjugall  faythe  may  expresse  it  self  at  last.  II<^^^^'I]  ^° 

d'averne.  Why,  Denis.  Ho!  Awake  and  ryse  in  hast! 
\^8nter  denis,] 

DENIS.  What,  is  your  lordshipp  madd? 

d'averne.  Knowest  thou  what's  past 
And  canst  thou  skape  this  danger? 

DENIS.  Did  I  not  tell  you 
That  all  was  safe,  the  body  too  disposed 
Better  then  in  his  grave? 

d'averne.  Strange  thoughts  sollicite  mee.  85 

Vpp  and  inquire  about  the  cloyster  wall 
What  noyse  thou  hearest,  if  any  pryvate  whisperinge 
Or  lowder  vprore  'bout  the  murder  ryse. 

DENIS.  I  shall,  I  shall,  syr.  C<^'^'^^-I] 

d'averne.  Guilt,  thoughe  it  weare  a  smoothe  .and  peace- 
full  face,  90 

74  inforced]  insured  B.  80  [(?;(;;/.]]  \€xit  Lady.  B, 

81  [f/z/^r  DENIS.]]  Om.B.  89  [6W/"/.]]  [6'xit  Dennis.  B. 


122  The  Qaptives,  ^jshk 

Yet  is  within  full  of  seditious  thoughts 

That  makes  continuall  fadlion.  ]^Cxit. 

Enter  fryar  richard,  w///&  fryar  ]yio^  vpon  his 

backe. 

F.  RICHARD.  This  is  the  porch  that  leades  into  the  hall; 
Heare  rest  for  thyne  and  myne  owne  better  ease. 
This  havinge  doon,  to  prevent  deathe  and  shame,  95 

By  the  same  stepps  I'l  back  the  waye  I  came. 

[[fryer  sett  vp  &'  left.  Sxit. 
Cnter  d  e  n  i  s ,  half  vnredy. 
DENIS.  This  is  the  penalty  beelonges  to  servyce: 
Masters  still  plott  to  theire  owne  pryvate  ends 
And  wee  that  are  theire  slaves  and  ministers 

Are  cheif  still  in  the  troble;  they  ingrosse  100 

The  pleasure  and  the  profitt,  and  wee  only 
The  swett  and  payne.  My  lord  hathe  doon  a  mischiefe, 
And  nowe  I  must  not  sleepe  for't.  What  art  thou? 
None  of  the  howse  suer,  I  should  knowe  thy  face  then: 
Beesydes  my  lord  giues  no  such  lyvery.  105 

Nowe  in  the  name  of  heaven,  what  art  thou?  Speake, 
Speake  if  thou  beest  a  man!  or,  if  a  ghost. 
Then  glyde  hence  lyke  a  shadowe!  'Tis  the — oh! — 
The  fryar  hathe  nimbly  skipt  back  ore  the  wall. 
Hath  lyke  a  surly  justyce  bensht  himself,  110 

And  sitts  heare  to  accuse  vs!  Where's  my  lord? 
Helpe,  helpe!  His  murdered  ghost  is  com  from  hell 
On  earthe  to  cry,  "Vindid:a!" 

Enter  l.  d'averne. 

d'averne.  What  clamor's  this? 

DENIS.  Oh,  syr — 

92  faftion]  follie  B. 

103  for't]  Otn.  B.  109  ore]  over  B. 


Scene  II.'}  The  QuptivCS,  I  2  3 

d'avern.  Why,  howe  is't,  Denis? 

DENIS.  Never  woorse — the  fryar,  syr — 

d'averne.  What  of  him  ?  «i5 

DENIS.  The  slave  that  would  not  leave  the  place  but  carried, 
Is  of  him  self  com  back. 

d'averne.  Whether? 

DENIS.  Looke  theire. 

d'averne.  That  which  I  took  to  bee  meare  fantasy 
1  finde  nowe  to  bee  real;  murder  is 

A  cryinge  sinne,  and  canott  be  conceal'd.  120 

Yet  his  returne  is  strange. 

DENNIS.  'Tis  most  prodigious; 
The  very  thought  of  it  hath  putt  a  creeke 
Into  my  necke  allredy. 

d'avern.  One  further  desperate  tryall  I  will  make 
And  putt  it  to  adventer. 

DENNIS.  Pray  how's  that,  syr?  i^s 

d'ave  rne.  There's  in  my  stable  an  ould  stallion,  once 
A  lusty  horse  but  nowe  past  servyce. 

DENNIS.  Goodd,  syr. 

d'averne.  Him  I'l  have  sadled  and  capparrison'd. 
Heare  in  the  hall  a  rusty  armor  hanges, 

Pistolls  in  rotten  cases,  an  ould  sword,  130 

And  a  cast  lance,  to  all  these  sutable. 
ri  have  them  instantly  tooke  downe. 

DENNIS.  And  then? 

d'aver.  In  these  I'l  arme  the  fryar  from  head  to  knee, 
Mount  him  into  his  saddle,  with  stronge  cords 
There  bind  him  fast,  and  to  his  gantlet  hand  13s 

Fasten  his  lance.  For  basses,  'tis  no  matter; 
These  his  grey  skyrts  will  serve.  Thus  arm'd,  thus  mo^u^nted, 

127  Goodd]  Godd  MS.  B. 


1 24  'The  Qaptives,  x^Aa  iv. 

Turne  him  out  of  the  gates,  neither  attended 

With  squire  or  page,  lyke  a  stronge  knight  adventers  140 

To  seeke  a  desperate  fortune. 

DENIS.  Hee  may  so  if  hee  please 
Ryde  post  vnto  the  devill. 

d'averne.  This  ri  see  doone; 
'Tis  a  decree  determinde. 

DENIS.  Capp  a  pe 
ri  see  him  arm'd  and  moCu)]nted.  \JSxeunt.  hs 

8nter  ^KY AK  richard. 

F.  rich.  This  murder  canott  bee  so  smoothred  vpp 
But  I  in  th'  end  shall  paye  for't;  but  feare  still 
Is  wittye  in  prevention.  Nowe  for  instance  "x 

There's  but  one  refuge  left  mee;  that's  to  fly: 

The  gates  are  shutt  vpon  mee,  and  my  self  150 

Am  a  badd  foott-man,  yet  these  difficultyes 
I  can  thus  helpe;  there  to  this  place  belonges 
A  mare  that  every  second  daye's  imployde 
To  carry  corne  and  fetch  meale  from  the  mill, 
Distant  som  half  league  off;  I  by  this  beast  155 

Will  fashion  myne  escape.  —  What,  baker,  ho! 

BAKER  {zvithin).  What's  hee  that  calls  so  early? 

\^8nter  baker,] 

F.  RICHARD.  I,  Fryar  Richard. 

BAKER.  What  would  you  have  that  you  are  stirringe  thus 
An  hower  beefore  the  dawne. 

F.  RICHARD.  I  canott  sleepe. 
And  vnderstandinge  there's  meale  redy  grownd,  160 

Which  thou  must  fetch  this  morninge  from  the  mill, 
V\  save  thee  so  much  pay^n^es.  Lend  mee  the  beast. 
And  lett  mee  forthe  the  gate;  I'l  bringe  boathe  back 

157  \€nter  baker.]]  Om.  B. 


Scene  11.'}  The  QupttVeS,  I  2  5 

Ere  the  bell  ringe  to  mattens. 

BAKER.  Marry,  Fryar  Ritchard, 
With  all  mv  hart,  and  thanke  yee.  I'l  but  ryse  165 

And  halter  her,  then  lett  you  forthe  the  gate; 
You'l  save  mee  so  much  labour. 

F.  RICHARD.  This  falls  out 
As  I  coold  wishe,  and  in  a  fortQOnate  hower; 
For  better  then  to  too  legges  trust  to  fower.  \_SxeuntP^ 

EXPLICIT    ACTUS    Q_UARTUS 
164  to]  for  B.  169  [£x^/:^«/]]  Om.  B. 


fif^  (iy^^ig^^  (P^>if'>  ^■^^'^  ^'V'^«'  ■-»'^^»'  ^^y^^^  cry^^o  sy^ 

l5    <*^'^Kj^    1^'^kj)    1^ 


ACTUS  QUINTUS 
SCENA  PRIMA 

S^nfer  thomas  ashburne,  theyonger  brother  to  Jhon^ 
a  merchant^  with  one  of  his  favors. 

THOMAS.  Are  all  thinges  safe  abord? 
FACTOR.  As  you  can  wishe,  sir; 
And  notwithstandinge  this  combustious  stryfe 
Betwixt  the  winds  and  seas,  our  shipp  still  tight, 
No  anchar,  cable,  tackle,  sayle,  or  mast 
Lost,  thoughe  much  danger'd;  all  our  damadge  is 
That,  where  our  purpose  was  tor  Italy, 
We  are  driven  into  Marcellis. 

THOMAS.  That's  myne  vnhappines 
That,.beinge  bound  vpon  a  brother's  quest 
Longe  absent  from  his  country,  who  of  late 
After  confinement,  penury,  distresse 
Hathe  gain'd  a  hopefull  fortune,  and  I  travelling 
To  beare  him  tydinges  of  a  blest  estate, 
Am  in  my  voyadge  thwarted. 

FACTOR.  In  what  province 
Resydes  hee  att  this  present? 

THOMAS.  His  last  letters 
That  I  receav'd  weare  dated  from  Leagahorne; 

his  fad  or  $\  the  FaSlors  B. 

I  (marginal stage  directions  in  another  hand)]  Fad:  Gibson.  MS. 

8  bound]  come  B. 

I  27 


128  The  Qaptives,  x^Aav. 

Nowe  wee  by  this  infortnu^nate  storme  are  driven 
Into  Marcellis  roads. 

FACTOR.  For  the  small  tyme 
Of  our  abode  heare  what  intend  you,  sir? 

THOMAS.  To  take  in  viduall  and  refresh  our  men, 
Provyde  vs  of  thinges  needefull,  then  one  more  ao 

With  all  the  expeditious  hast  wee  can 
Sett  sayle  for  Florens. 

FACTOR.  Please  you,  sir, 
ri  steward  well  that  busines. 

THOMAS,  r  th'  meane  tyme 
I  shall  find  leisure  to  surveigh  the  town,  »5 

The  keyes,  the  temples,  forts,  and  monuments; 
For  what's  the  end  of  travell  but  to  better  vs 
In  judgment  and  experiens?  What  are  these? 
Withdrawe  and  giue  them  streete-roome. 

Enter  Raphael,  treadeway,  and  the  clowne. 

RAPHAEL.  H ath  my  Palestra  fownd  her  parents  then ?  3° 

cLOWNE.  As  suer  as  I  had  lost  you. 

RAPHAEL.  And  free  borne? 

CLOW.  As  any  in  Marcellis. 

RAPHAEL.  Englishe,  say'st  thou? 

CLOWNE.  Or  Brittishe,  which  you  please. 

RAPHAEL.  Her  trew  name  Mirable 
And  Ashburne's  dougter? 

CLOWNE.  Suer  as  yours  is  Raphael 
And  Treadwaye's  his.  ,  35 

THOMAS.  Mirable  and  Ashburne! 

FACTOR.  Names  that  concerne  you,  sir. 

THOMAS.  Peace,  listen  farther. 

RAPHAEL.  Thou  with  these  woords  hast  extasyde  my  sowle, 

34  Raphael]  Raphaels  MS.  B. 


Scene  I.-}  The  Qaptivcs.  129 

And  I  urn  all  in  rapture.  Then  hec's  pleas'd 
Wee  too  shal  be  contracted  ? 

CLOWNE. 'Tis  his  mynd,  sir.  40 

RAPHAEL.  The  moother,  too,  consents  ? 

CLOWNE.  So  you  shall  finde,  sir. 

RAPHAEL.  And  Mirable  pleas'd,  too? 

CLOWNE.  Shee's  so  inclin'd,  sir. 

RAPHAEL,  And  this  the  very  day? 

CLOWNE.  The  tyme  assign'd,  sir. 

RAPHAEL.  Shee  shal  be  suerly  myne. 

CLOWNE.  As  vowes  can  bind,  sir. 

RAPHAEL.  Thou  sawest  all  this ? 

CLOWNE.  I  am  suer  I  was  not  blind,  sir.  45 

RAPHAEL.  And  all  this  shall  bee  doon? 

CLOWNE.  Beefore  you  have  din'd,  sir. 

RAPHAEL.  Oh,  frend,  eather  pertake  with  mee  in  joy 
And  beare  part  of  this  surplus;  I  shall  elce 
Dye  in  a  pleasinge  surfett. 

TREADWAY.  Frend,  I  doo 
Withall  intreate  you  interceade  for  mee  50 

To  your  tayre  love's  companion,  for  if  all 
Th'  estate  I  have  in  France  can  by  her  freedom, 
Shee  shall  no  longer  faynt  beneathe  the  yoake 
Of  lewdnes  and  temptation. 

RAPHAEL.  The  extent 
Of  that  fyxt  love  I  ever  vowde  to  the  55 

Thou  in  this  ad:  shall  find. 

TREADWAY.  And  it  shall  seale  it. 
Beyond  all  date  or  limitt. 

RAPHAELL.  Com,  hasten, frend ;  mee  thinks  atleng^t^Jhe  I  spy 
After  rough  tempests  a  more  open  skye. 

\_E:xeunt  RAPHAEL  and  tread  w a y.^ 


130  'Th^  Qaptives,  x^Aai^. 

CLOWNE.  And  I  will  after  you,  kind  syr,  60 

Since  so  merrily  blowes  the  wind,  sir. 

THOMAS.  Staye,  frend,  I  am  a  stranger  in  these  parts 
And  woold  in  one  thinge  gladly  bee  resolv'd. 

CLOWNE.  I  am  in  hast. 

THOMAS.  That  little  leasure  thou  beestowest  on  mee  65 

I  shal  bee  gladd  to  paye  for;  nay,  I  will. 
Drinke  that  for  my  sake. 

CLOWNE.  Notthis,  syr,  as  itis;  fori  can  make  ashiftto  dissolve 
hard  mettall  into  a  more  liquid  substans.  A  cardeq.''  Oh,  syr,  I 
can  distill  this  into  a  quintessens  cal'd  argentum  potabile.  70 

THOMAS.  I  heard  you  name  one  Ashburne;  can  you  bringmee 
To  th'  sight  of  such  a  man.? 

CLOWNE.  Easily  I  can,  syr.  But  for  another  peice  of  the  same 
stampe,  I  can  bringe  you  to  heare  him,  to  feele  him,  to  smell  Chim)], 
to  tast  him,  and  to  feede  vpon  him  your  whole  fyve  sences.  75 

THOMAS.  There's  for  thee,  though  I  have  no  hope  at  all 
To  finde  in  France  what  I  in  Florens  seeke. 
And  though  my  brother  have  no  child  alyve. 
As  longe  sy[;n]]ce  lost  when  I  was  rob'd  of  myne. 
Yet  for  the  name-sake,  to  my  other  travells  80 

I'l  add  this  little  toyle,  though  purposeles. 
I  have  about  mee  letters  of  import 
Dyreded  to  a  marchant  of  that  name 
For  whose  sake  (beeinge  one  to  mee  intyred) 
I  only  crave  to  see  the  gentleman.  85 

CLOWNE.  Beleeve  mee,  syr,  I  never  love  to  jest  with  those  that 
beeforehand  deale  with  mee  in  earnest.  Will  you  followe  mee? 

THOMAS.  Proove  hee  my  brother,  and  his  doughter  fownd, 
Lost  by  my  want  of  care  (which  canott  bee, 

60  kind]  home  B.  74  [him]]  Om.  B. 

86  that]  that  that  MS.  88  Proove]  Prooves  B. 


Scene  ii.'2  The  QaptivBS.  131 

All  reasons  well  considered),  and  I  so  happy  90 

To  bringe  him  newes  of  a  recovered  state, 

Who  to  his  foes  so  longe  hathe  bin  a  pray, 

I'd  count  my  monthes  and  years  but  from  this  day. 


\J£xeunt. 


ACTUS  QUINTUS 
SCENA  SECUNDA 


Cnter  att  one  doore  d  '  a  v  e  r  n  e  ,  and  d  e  n  n  i  s  with  the  fryar 
armed^  at  the  other  fryar  richard  and  the  baker. 

D'averne.  So  nowe  all's  fitt,  the  daylight's  notyetbroake; 
Mount  him  and  lock  him  in  the  saddle  fast, 
Then  turne  him  forthe  the  gates. 

DENIS.  Pray,  syr,  your  hand  to  rayse  him. 

d' A  VERNE.  Nowe  lett  him  post  whether  his  fate  shall  guide 
him.  X^SxeuntP^    5 

BAKER.  The  mare's  ready. 

F.  RICH.  Only  the  key  to  ope  the  cloyster  gate; 
Then  all  is  as  it  shoold  bee. 

BAKER.  Tak't;  there  'tis. 
But  make  hast,  good  Fryar  Richard;  you  will  elce 
Have  no  new  bredd  to  dinner. 

F.  RICH.  Feare  not,  baker;  «o 

ri  proove  her  mettall.  Thus  I  back  one  mare 
Least  I  shoold  ryde  another.  \JBxit. 

BAKER.  It  is  the  kindest  novyce  of  my  consciens 
That  ere  woare  hood  or  coole. 

\^A  noyse  within.  'Trampling  of  horses. 
What  noyse  is  that?  Now  by  the  Abbot's  leave  15 

I  will  looke  out  and  see.  C^^-^'^^-Il 

5  6»/.    RICH.,   EAKER.'\  B.  MS.  (^i/i /ater  hanJ). 
16  [Sxit.]]  [C/ere.  MS.  {in  later  hand).  B. 


132  T'he  Qaptives,  x^Aav, 

Enter  averne  and  dennis. 

d'avern.  Howe  nowe?  the  newes? 
The  cause  of  that  strange  vprore? 

DENNIS.  Strange  indeed, 
But  what  th'  event  will  bee,  I  canott  guess. 

d'averne.  Howe  is  it?  Speake.  ' 

DENNIS.  I  had  no  sooner,  as  your  lordshipp  badd,  20 

Putt  him  vpon  his  voyadge,  turn'd  him  out. 
But  the  ould  resty  stallion  snuft  and  neigh'd. 
And  smelt,  I  thinke,  som  mare,  backt  (I  perceav'd 
By  th'  moone  light)  by  a  fryar,  in  whose  pursuite 
Our  new  made  horsman  with  his  threatninge  lance,  15 

Pistolles,  and  rotten  armor  made  such  noyse 
That  th'  other,  frighted,  clamours  through  the  streetes 
Nothinge  but  deathe  and  murder. 

d'avern.  But  the  sequell? 
The  clamour  still  increasethe.  ^J^oyse. 

Enter  the  baker  rooninge. 

baker.  Oh  never,  never. 
Was  seene  such  open  mallyce! 

DENNIS.  What's  the  busines  ?  3° 

BAKER.  Giue  mee  but  leave  to  breath — oh,  especially  in  a 
cloyster? 

DENNIS.  Out  wee't,  man. 

BAKER.  The  novyce  Richard,  to  save  mee  a  labour, 
Borrowed  my  mare  to  fetch  meale  from  the  mill. 
I  knowe  not  howe  the  devill  Fryar  Jhon  knew't,  3s 

But  all  in  armor  watcht  him  goinge  out 
And  after  spurrs  to  chardge  him,  beinge  vnarm'd; 
&  suer  if  hee  canott  reatch  him  with  his  lance, 
Hee'l  speede  him  with  his  pistolls. 

24  th']  the  5.  34  from]  for  ^.  38  &]  O  5. 


ScfNeij.-}  The  Qaptives.  133 

DENNIS.  All's  well  yet.  \Noyse. 

BAKER.  This  noyse  hath  cal'd  nuich  people  from  there  bedds,  40 
And  trobled  the  whole  vilhidge. 

FR.  RICH,  {within)   Hold,  hold,  I  do  confesse  the  murder. 

BAKER.  Suer  hee  hath  slayne  him,  tor  murder  is  confest. 

d' AVER.  'Tis  better  still. 

^'nter  ashburne,  (.odfrey,  etc. 

GODF.  Was  never  knowne  the  lyke! 

BAKER.  Is  Ritchard  slayne?  45 

I  sawe  Fryar  Jhon,  arm'd  dreadfully  with  weapons 
Not  to  bee  worne  in  peace,  pursue  his  lyfe; 
All  which  I'l  tell  the  abbott.  L*^'-^^'^-] 

ASHB.  Most  Strange  it  is  that  the  pursude  is  fownd 
To  bee  the  murderer,  the  pursuer  slayne.  S© 

How  was  it,  Godfrey?  Thou  wast  vpp  beefore  mee, 
And  canst  discoorse  it  best. 

GODF.  Thus,  syr:  at  noyse  of  murder,  with  the  tramplinge 
Of  horse  and  ratlinge  armor  in  the  streetes. 

The  villadgers  weare  waken  from  theire  sleepes;  55 

Som  gap't  out  of  theire  windowes,  others  venter'd 
Out  of  theire  doores;  amongst  which  1  was  one 
That  was  the  formost,  and  saw  Ritchard  stopt 
At  a  turninge  lane,  then  overtooke  by  Jhon; 

Who  not  him  self  alone,  but  even  his  horse  60 

Backing  the  tother's  beast,  seem'd  with  his  feete 
To  pawe  him  from  his  saddle.  Att  this  assault 
Friar  Richard  cryes,  "Hold,  hold,  and  haunt  mee  not, 
For  I  confesse  the  murder!"  Folke  came  in, 

Fownd  th'  one  i'  th'  sadle  dead,  tother  sprallinge  65 

Vpon  the  earthe  alyve,  still  cryinge  out 
That  hee  had  doon  the  murder. 

48  [f>//.]]  Exit  Baker.  B.  55  waken]  wakend  B. 


1 34  7 he  Qaptives,  \^Act  v. 

d'averne.  Exellent  still;  withdrawe,  for  wee  are  safe. 

\J£xeunt^ 
Cnter  the  abbott,  the  baker,  fryar  richard,  prisoner 

and  guarded^  etc. 

ABBOT.  These  mischeifes  I  foretould;  what's  mallyce  elsse 
Then  murder  half  committed?  Though  th'  event  70 

Be  allmost  aboue  apprehention  strange, 
Yet  synce  thyne  owne  confession  pleades  thee  guilty. 
Thou  shalt  have  leagall  tryalL 

F.  rich.  I  confess 
I  was  the  malefad:or  and  deserve 

Th'  extremity  of  lawe;  but  woonder  much  75 

Howe  hee  in  such  a  short  tyme  after  death 
Should  purchase  horse  and  weapons. 

ABBOTT.  Murder's  a  sinne 
Which  often  is  myraculously  reveal'd. 
Lett  justyce  question  that;  beare  him  to  prison. 
The  tother  to  his  grave.  80 

BAKER.  Beinge  so  valiant  after  deathe,  mee  thinkes  hee  de- 
serves the  honor  to  bee  buried  lyke  a  knight  in  his  compleate  ar- 
mor. 

ABBOTT.  These  thingesshoold  not  bee  trifled.  Honest  frends, 
Retyre  you  to  your  homes;  these  are  our  chardge.  85 

Wee  will  acquaint  our  patron  with  this  sadd 
And  dyre  desaster;  fyrst  his  counsell  vse, 
Next  as  wee  maye  our  innocens  excuse.  \_SxeuntP^ 

68  {Exeunt. \  Om.  B. 

Margin  above  69  Stage-keepers  as  a  guard.  MS. 


1 


i 


Scene  111.^  The  Qaptives.  135 

ACTUS    (^UINTUS 
SCENA    TERTIA    ET    VLTIMA 

Cnter  m  i  l  d  e  w  e  and  s  a  r  l  a  b  o  i  s , 

Ml  LDEW.  May  the  disease  of  Naples,  noweturn'd  Frensh, 
Take  bothe  the  judge  and  jurors!  They  have  doom'd 
The  fayre  Palestra  from  niee. 

s  A  R  L  A  B .  So  they  had 
Scribonia  too,  and  mulcted  vs  beesydes. 

But  that  in  part  they  did  comiserate  5 

Our  so  greate  losse  by  sea. 

MILDEW.  This  is  the  curse 
Belonges  to  all  vs  bawdes:  gentle  and  noble. 
Even  th'  ouldest  fornicator,  will  in  private 
Make  happy  vse  of  vs  with  hugges  and  brybes; 
Butt  lett  them  take  vs  at  the  publick  bensh,  10 

'Gainst  consciens  they  will  spitt  at  vs,  and  doome  vs 
Vnto  the  post  and  cart.  Oh  the  corruptnes 
Of  these  dissemblinge  letchers! 

SARLAB.  'Tis  well  yet 
You  have  reserved  one  virgin  left  for  sale; 
Of  her  make  your  best  profitt. 

MiLDEWE.  A  small  stocke  »s 

To  rayse  a  second  fortune;  yet  com,  frend. 
Wee  will  go  seeke  her  out. 

Enter  g  r  t  p  u  s ,  the  fisherman. 

FISHER.  No  budgettto  be  com  by;  my  ould  mayster, 

and  SARLABOis]  Scored  through  in  MS. 
3-6SARLAB.  .  .  .  sea.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 
13-17SARLAB.  .  .  .  out.]  Marked  for  omission  in  MS. 


136  The  Qaptives,  \^Aa  f. 

Hee  stands  on  consciens  to  deliver  it 

To  the  trew  owner,  but  I  thinke  in  consciens  ao 

To  cheate  mee  and  to  keepe  it  to  him  selfe; 

Which  hee  shall  never  doo,  to  prevent  which 

V\  openly  proclayme  it.  Oh  yes — 

If  any  vserer  or  base  exadter, 

Any  noble  marchant  or  marchant's  fadior,  as 

Bee't  marchant  venterer  or  marchant  tayler, 
Bee  hee  Mr.  Pylot,  botswayne  or  saylor — 
Enter  Godfrey. 

GODFREY.  Hist,  GHpus,  hyst! 

FISHER.  Peace,  fellowe  Godfrey.  I'l  now  play  the  blabber. 
If  eather  passinger,  owner,  or  swabber  3° 

That  in  the  sea  hathe  lost  a  leather  budget 
And  to  the  dolphins,  whales,  or  sharkes  doth  grudge  it — 

GOD.  Wilt  thou  beetraye  all?  I'l  go  tell  my  mayster. 

FISHER.  Yes,  Godfrey,  goe  and  tell  him  all  and  spare  not; 
I  am  growne  desperate;  if  thou  dost,  I  care  not.  35 

MILDEW.  Hee  talkt  of  a  leatheren  budgett  lost  at  sea; 
More  of  that  newes  would  please  mee. 

FISHER.  Bee  hee  a  Cristian  or  beeleeve  in  Mawmett, 
I  such  a  one  this  night  tooke  in  my  drawnet. 

MILDEW.  My  soone,  my  child,  nay  rather,  thou  yonge  man,  4° 
ri  take  thee  for  my  father,  for  in  this 
Suer  thou  hast  new  beegott  mee. 

FISHER.  Blessinge  on  thee! 
But  shoold  I  have  a  thousand  children  more, 
I  almost  durst  presume  I  never  should  have 
Another  more  hard  favored. 

MILDEW.  Thou  art  any  thinge.  4S 

But  hast  thou  such  a  budgett? 

27  Enter  convKtY.^  €nter  Godfrey  to  them.    MS.  B.  (^ioxhtm  in  later  hand). 


Scertriii.-}  T'he  Qaptivcs.  137 

FISHER.  Syr,  I  have, 
And  new  tooke  from  the  sea.  What  wold'st  thou  giue 
And  have  it  sayfe? 

M  I  L DEW.  ri  giue  a  hondred  crownes. 

FISH  ER.  Tush,  offer  me  a  sowse  hut  not  on  the  eare; 
1  will  barr  that  afore  hand. 

M  I  LDEW.  And  all  safe,  50 

V\  giue  thee  then  too  hondred. 

FISHER.  Offer  mee  a  cardeq! 

MI  LDEW.  Three  hondred,  4,  nay  fyve 
So  nothinge  bee  deminisht. 

FISH  ER.  I  will  have 
A  thousand  crowns  or  nothinge. 

MILDEW.  That  growes  deepe. 

FISHER.  Not  so  deepe  as  the  sea  was. 

MILDEW.  Make  all  safe,  55 

And  I  will  giue  a  thousand. 

FISHER.  'Tis  a  match, 
But  thou  wilt  sweare  to  this. 

MILDEW.  Giue  mee  myne  othe. 

FISHER.  If,  when  fyrst  I  shall  behold 

My  leatheren  bagge  that's  stuft  with  gould, 
At  sight  thereof  I  pay  not  downe  60 

To  Gripus  every  promist  crowne — 
Now  say  after  mee: 
May  Mildewe,  I,  in  my  best  age — 

MILDEW.  May  Mildewe,  I,  in  my  best  age — 

Fi  s  H  E  R .  Dy  in  some  spittle,  stocks,  or  cage.  65 

MILDEW.  Dy  in  some  spittle,  stocks,  or  cage. 

FISHER,  ri  keepe  my  promisse;  fayle  not  thou  thine  oathe. 
So  inn  and  tell  my  mayster.  C*^'-^^^-] 

49  on  the]  in  th'  B.  68  cfx/'/.]]  \£xit  Fisherman.  B. 


1 3  8  The  Qaptives,  [^^  ^. 

MILDEW.  Yes, bawdeskeepeoathes!  'tmust  bee  in  leap-yeare 

then. 
Not  now;  what  we  sweare  wee'l  forsweare  agen.  70 

£nter  ashburne,  Godfrey,  and  gripus. 

ASHBURNE.  And  hce  in  that  did  well,  for  heaven  defend. 
I  shoold  inritche  mee  with  what's  none  of  myne. 
Where  is  the  man  that  claymes  it? 

GRIP.  Heare's  my  sworne  soon, that  but  even  nowe  acknowl- 
edg'd  mee  to  bee  his  father.  75 

ASHBURN.  Knowest  thou  this ? 

MIL  DEW.  Yes,  for  myne  owne.  I  had  thought,  lyke  one  for- 
lorne. 
All  fortl^u^ne  had  forsooke  mee,  but  I  see 
My  best  dayes  are  to  com.  Welcom  my  lyfe! 

Nay,  if  there  be  in  any  bawde  a  sowle,  80 

This  nowe  hathe  mett  the  body. 

ASHBURNE.  All's  theire  safe, 
Vnrifled,  naye  vntutcht,  save  a  small  caskett 
With  som  few  trifles  of  no  valewe  in't, 
Yet  to  mee  pretious,  synce  by  them  I  have  fownd 
My  one  and  only  doughter. 

MILDEW.  Howe's  that,  pray?  85 

ASHBURN.  Thus:  thy  Palestra  is  my  Mirable. 

MILDEW.  Nowe  may  you  to  your  comfort  keepe  the  guirle, 
Synce  of  my  wealthe  I  am  once  againe  possest. 
I  heare  acquitt  you  of  all  chardges  past 
Due  for  her  education. 

ASHB.  You  speake  well.  9° 

GRIP.  It  seemes  you  are  possest,  and  this  your  owne. 

MILDEW.  Which  ri  knowe  howe  I  part  with. 

GRIP.  Com  quicly  and  vntrusse. 

70  GRIPUS.]  Gripus  to  ''em  MS.  B.  (to  'em  in  later  hand). 


Scent- 1 11.-}  'The  Qaptives.  139 

MI  LDEW.  Vntrusse,  syr?  what? 

GRIP.  Nay,  if  you  stand  on  poynts,  my  crownes,  my  crownes; 
Com  tell  them  out,  a  thousand. 

M  I  L  DEW.  Thousand  deathes  95 

I  will  indure  fyrst,  synce  I  neather  owe  thee, 
Nor  will  I  paye  thee,  any  thinge! 

GRIP.  Didst  thou  not  swear? 

MILDEW.  I  did,  and  will  againe 
If  it  bee  to  my  profitt,  but  oathes  made 
Vnto  our  hurt  wee  are  not  bound  to  keepe.  100 

ASHB.  What's  that  you  chalendge,  Gripus. 

GRi  PUS.  Not  a  sowse  lesse 
Then  a  full  thousand  crownes. 

ASHBUR.  On  what  condition? 

GRIP.  So  much  hee  vowed  and  swore  to  paye  mee  down 
At  sight  of  this  his  budgett;  a  deneere 
I  will  not  bate;  downe  with  my  dust,  thou  perjur'd.  105 

ASHBUR.  But  did  heesweare? 

MI  LDEW.  Suppose  it;  saye  I  did. 

ASHBUR.  Then  thus  I  saye:  oathes  ta'ne  advisedly 
Ought  to  b[;e  kept]];  and  this  I'l  see  perform'd. 
What's  torfet  to  my  man  is  due  to  mee; 

I  claime  it  as  my  right.  These  your  bawde's  fallacyes  no 

In  this  shall  no  waye  helpe  you.  You  shall  answer  it 
Now  as  a  subje6t  and  beefore  the  judge. 

MILDEW.  If  I  appeare  in  coort,  I  am  lost  againe; 
Better  to  part  with  that  then  hazard  all. 

These  bagges  conteine  fyve  hondred  pownds  apeece,  115 

Tak't  and  the  pox  to  boot. 

GRIP.  And  all  these  mvne? 

GODFREY.  Woold  I  might  have  a  share  in't. 

105  perjur'd]  perjurer  B. 


140  The  Qaptives,  \^Aav. 

ASHB.  Nowetell  mee,  Mildew,  howe  thou  ratest  the  freedome 
Of  th'  other  virgin,  yonge  Scribonia, 
Companion  with  my  doughter? 

MILDEW.  I  am  weary  120 

Of  this  lewde  trade;  giue  mee  fyve  hondred  crownes 
And  take  her;  Fl  gee't  over  now  in  tyme 
Ere  it  bringe  mee  to  the  gallowes. 

ASHB.  There's  for  her  ransome;  shee's  from  hencforthe  free. 

GRIP.  Howe,  syr?  1*5 

ASH  BURN.  These  other,  Gripus,  still  beelonge  to  thee 
Towards  thy  manumission.  \JSxit  Godfrey.] 

Cnter  at  one  doore  isabel,   palestra,   scriboniA; 
at  the  other  Raphael,  treadway,  thom.  ashb., 
(S^  the  c  L  o  w  N  E  aloof e. 

RAPHAEL.  If  all  bee  trewe  my  man  related  to  mee, 
I  have  no  end  of  joy. 

ash  bur.  This  is  my  Mirable, 
My  doughter  and  freeborne;  and  if  you  still  13° 

Persist  the  same  man  you  profest  your  self, 
Beehold,  shee  is  your  wyfe. 

RAPHAEL.  You  crowne  my  hopes. 

mirabl.  This  very  day  hathe  made  mee  full  amends 
For  many  yeares  of  crosses. 

treadw.  Nowe  my  suite. 

RAPHAEL.  Nor  are  my  expedtations  yet  at  heighte  1 35 

Before  my  frend  bee  equally  made  blest 
In  this  fayer  damsell's  love. 

treadw.  To  accomplishe  which. 
If  all  the  wealth  that  I  injoye  by  land, 
Or  what  at  sea's  in  venter,  will  but  purchase 

127  thy]  the  B.  127  [f^r// Godfrey.]]  Om.  B. 

127  Isabel]  Om.  B.  Scored  through  iti  MS.     aloof e\  Om.  B. 


Scene  III.-}  The   QuptivCS,  I4I 

With  her  release  a  tye  of  love  to  mee,  140 

This  howcr  it  shal  be  tender'd. 

ASHB.  OfFer'd  fay  rely; 
But  knowe,  syr,  could  you  winne  her  to  vour  wishes, 
Shee  shall  not  lyke  a  bondemayde  come  to  ye; 
Fyve  hondred  crownes  arc  tender'd  downe  all  redy 
(Vnknowne  to  her)  for  her  free  liberty.  145 

SCR  I  B.  This  is  ajubeily,  a  yeare  of  joy, 
For  chastaty  and  spotles  inocens. 

TREADW.  Shall  I  intreate  you  to  receive  them  backe? 
Lett  it  bee  made  my  woorke  of  charity. 

ASHB.  I  knowe  you  woorthy,  but  that  must  not  bee ;  1 50 

Yet  proove  her,  coort  her,  with  my  free  consent, 
And  vse  the  best  love's  rethorick  you  can. 
If  with  the  motion  shee  rest  satisfied. 
And  you  pleas'd  to  accept  her,  it  shall  never 

Be  sayde  you  tooke  a  captyve  to  vour  bedd,  15s 

But  a  free  woman. 

TREADW.  Nobly  have  you  spoake. 

RAPHAEL.  Fayre  Mirable,  the  fyrst  thinge  T  intreate  vou 
In  which  to  expresse  your  love,  speake  for  my  frend. 

MIRABLE.  And  with  my  best  of  oratory. 

WYFE.  Wee'l  bee  all 
Assistants  in  the  motion. 

ASH  BUR.  If  you  prevayle,  160 

I  in  the  absens  of  some  nearer  frend 
Have  vow'd  to  stand  her  father. 

CLOWNE.  Nowe,  sir,  I  have  showed  him  you,  but  are  vou 
ever  the  wyser? 

THOMAS    ASH.  Peace,  I  am  somwhat  trobled.  Oh 'tis  hee,      165 
My  brother;  and  those  rude  and  violent  gusts 

159,  160  WYFE  .  .  .  motion.]  Scored  through  in  MS.    wyfe]   raph  B. 


142  The  Qaptives,  x^Aav, 

That  to  this  strange  road  thrust  my  shipp  perforce, 

And  I  but  late  for  newe  desasters  curst, 

Have  with  there  light  winges  mo[;u]]nted  mee  aloft, 

And  for  a  haven  in  heaven  new  harbor'd  mee.  170 

Yet  they  but  feede  vpon  theire  knowne  delights; 

Anon  ri  make  them  surfett.  - 

scRiB.  If  to  this  frendly,  fayer  society, 
I,  a  poore  desolate  virgin,  so  much  bownd. 

Should  putt  you  off  with  delatory  trifles  175 

When  you  importune  answer,  t'wold  appeare 
In  mee  strange  incivility:  I  am  yours 
And,  beeinge  so,  therefore  consequently  his. 

ASHB.  A  match  then!  But,  ere  further  you  proceede, 
Resolve  mee  one  thinge,  Mildewe, — not  as  thou  art  180 

Thy  self,  but  as  thou  once  weart  made  a  Christian, — 
Knowestthou  this  made's  discent  and  parentadge? 

MILDEW.  I  will  resolve  you  lyke  a  convertite. 
Not  as  the  man  I  was;  I  knew  there  byrths. 
But  for  myne  owne  gayne  kept  them  still  conceal'd.  185 

ASHB.  Now  as  thou  hop'st  of  grace — 

MILDEW.  The  nurse,  late  dead. 
That  had  these  too  in  chardge,  betrayde  ashipboard 
And  ravisht  from  her  coontry,  ere  she  expyr'd, 
Nam'd  her  the  doughter  of  Jhon  Ashburne,  marcha^n^Jt. 
Her  I  Palestra  cal'd,  shee  Mirable;  190 

That,  Winefryde,  doughter  to  Thomas  Ashburne, 
Brother  to  the  sayde  Jhon,  I  cal'd  Scribonia. 
They  too  are  coosin  germans. 

ASHB.  This  our  neece? 

THOMAS.  My  doughter? 

PALESTRA.  Partners  in  sorrowe,  and  so  neere  allyde,  19s 

168  newe]  A  correction  in  MS.  /cr  strange. 


Sctruiiir\  T^/je  Qaptives.  143 

And  wee  till  nowe  neare  knewe  it! 

SCR  IB.  My  deere  coosin. 

ASH  BUR.    Nay,   I'l   bee   my  vvoords'   mayster;   reache   your 
hands, 
And  thoughe  no  nearer  then  an  unkle,  once 
V\  playe  the  father's  part. 

THOMAS.  Praye  hold  your  hand,  sir; 
Heare's  one  that  will  doo't  for  you. 

ASHBUR.  Brother  Thomas!  200 

THOMAS.  Peruse  that  letter,  why  1st  I  breathe  these  joys, 
Impartinge  those  a  most  vnlimitted  love 
In  equall  distribution.  Doughter,  neece, 
Brother,  and  frends,  lett  mee  devyde  amongst  you 
A  father's,  brother's,  and  a  kinsman's  yoake,  105 

With  all  th'  vnmeasured  pleasures  and  delights 
That  thought  of  man  can  wishe  you. 

ASHBUR.  Spare  reply. 
These  tell  mee  that  those  bloodhownds  who  pursude 
My  fall,  my  oppressinge  creditors  I  meane, 

Are  gone  before  to  answer  for  my  wronges,  210 

And  in  there  deathes  with  due  acknowledgment 
Of  all  theire  violents  doon  mee;  peace  with  them! 
That  lykewyse  by  the  deathe  of  a  ritche  alderman, 
My  vnkle,  I  am  left  a  fayer  estate 

In  land,  eight  hondred  by  the  yeare,  in  coyne  215 

Twenty-fyve  thousand  pownd.  Make  mee,  oh  heaven. 
For  this  greate  blessinge  gratefull!  And  not  least 
To  you  my  indeer'd  brother. 

THOMAS.  One  thinge  woonders  mee, 
That  I  should  fynd  you  neare  Marcellis  heare 
When  I  was  aym'd  for  Florens;  where  your  letters  220 

201  joys]  joy  MS. 


144  T^^  Qaptives.  \^Aav. 

Inform'd  mee  you  weare  planted. 

ASHB.  But  even  thether 
Those  crewell  men  dog'd  mee  with  such  pursuit 
That  theire  I  fownd  no  safety,  but  was  ford: 
To  fly  thence  with  that  little  I  had  left 

And  to  retyre  mee  to  this  obscure  place;  225 

Where  by  the  trade  of  fishinge  I  have  lyv'd 
Till  nowe  of  a  contented  competens. 

Those  bates,  hookes,  lynes,  and  netts  for  thy  good  servyce, 
Gripus,  I  nowe  make  thyne. 

GRIP.  You  are  my  noble  mayster,  and  wold  I  could  have  23° 
fownd  more  tricks  then  these  in  my  budgett;  they  had  bin  all 
att  your  servyce. 

ASHB.  I  purpose  nowe  for  England,  whether  so  please 
These  gentlemen  consort  vs  with  theire  brydes. 

BOATH.  Most  willingly. 

ASHB.  There  you  shall  see  what  welcom  23s 

Our  London,  so  much  spoake  of  heare  in  France, 
Can  giue  to  woorthy  strangers. 

THOMAS.  Att  my  chardge 
Your  shippinge  is  provyded,  and  at  anchor 
Lyes  ready  in  the  roade. 

ASH  BUR.  Oh  happy  storme 
That  ends  in  such  a  calme!  240 

6«/<?r  GOD FR EYE  in  hast. 

GODFREY.  Staye,  gentlemen,  and  see  a  dolefull  sight; 
One  ledd  to  execution  for  a  murder 
The  lyke  hath  scarce  bin  heard  of 

ASHBURNE.  Ofthcfryar? 
In  part  wee  weare  ey-witness  of  the  fa6l. 

Nor  is  our  hast  so  greate  but  wee  maye  staye  245 

To  viewe  his  tragick  end,  whome  the  strickt  lawe 


Scene  1 1 1. '\  The  Quptives,  145 

Hathe  made  a  just  example. 

Enter  the  A'Q^OT^   kryar   richard,   shreve, 
and  OFFICERS,  etc. 

ABBOTT.  Vpon  thy  trevve  confession  I  have  giuen  thee 
Such  absolution  as  the  churche  allowes. 

What  hast  thou  elce  to  saye  ere  thou  art  made  15° 

To  all  men  heare  a  wofull  spectacle? 

FRYAR  RicHARi:).   This  onlv,    that    beetwixt    Fryar   Jhon 
and  mee 
Was  ever  hate  and  mallyce;  and  although 
With  no  entent  of  murder,  this  my  hand, 

This  most  vnfort^u^nate  hand,  beereft  his  lyf,  255 

For  which  vild  deede  I  mercy  begge  of  heaven; 
Next  of  the  woorld,  whome  I  offended  too. 
Pardon  and  pitty^  More  to  saye  I  have  not: 
Heaven,  of  my  sowle  take  chardge,  and  of  my  body 
Dispose  thou,  honest  hangeman.  260 

CLOWNE.  Lasse,  poore  fryar,  and  yet  there's  great  hope  of 
his  soule,  for  I  canot  spye  one  heyre  beetwixt  him  &  heaven. 

FISHER.  And  yet  I  dowbt  hee  will  make  but  a  bald  reckninge 
of  it. 

Snter  the  l.de  a  v  erne  and  his  man  de  n  n  i  s. 

AVE RN E.  Staye  the  execution.  265 

ABBOTT.  Our  noble  fownder  out  of  his  greate  charity 
And  woonted  goodnes  begg'd  him  a  repreive! 

A v  E  R  N  E .  Brought  a  repreive  I  have:  lett  go  the  fryar, 
And  take  from  mee  your  warrant;  I  dischardge  him. 

SHERIFF.  And  yet,  my  l[^ord,3  'tis  fitt  for  our  dischardge        270 
That  the  Kinge's  hand  bee  seene. 

AVERNE.  If  not  my  woord 
Will  passe  for  currant,  take  my  person  then, 

247  etc.\  Om.  B. 


1 46  The  Qaptives,  l^^  f- 

Or  if  you  thinke  vnequall  the  exchange, 

I  tender  my  man's  too  to  valew  his. 

Meane  tyme  dismisse  him  as  one  innocent  275 

Of  what  hee  is  condemde. 

ABBOTT.  By  his  owne  mouthe 
Hee  stands  accus'd.  •- 

AVERNE.  And  witnes  all  of  you, 
As  freely  I  acquitt  him. 

SHERiF.  Honored  syr, 
Praye  bee  more  plaine;  wee  vnderstand  you  not. 

AVERNE.  ri  make  it  playne  then.  280 

CLOWN.  Nowe,  if  thou  beest  wyse,  drawe  thy  neck  out  of 
the  collar;  doo,  Slipp-stringe,  doo, 

RICHARD.  Marry,  with  all  my  hart,  and  thanke  him  too. 

AVERNE.  Attend  mee,  reverend  father,  and  you  all 
Of  this  assembly:  for  som  spleene  conceiv'd  285 

Against  the  fryar  deceast,  I  strangled  him. 
The  cause  why,  no  man  heare  importun  mee; 
For  manye  reasons  to  my  self  best  knowne 
I  hold  fitt  to  conceale  it,  but  I  murdered  him 
In  myne  owne  howse. 

ABBOTT.  But  by  your  honour's  favour  290 

How  can  that  bee  when  Richard  heare  confest 
Hee  siewe  him  in  our  cloyster.? 

AVERNE.  Heare  me  outt. 
At  fyrst,  vntutcht  with  horror  of  the  fad:. 
My  purpose  was  to  laye  the  guilt  elswhear, 

And  for  that  purpose  cause  my  man  to  mount  him  295 

Over  the  cloyster  wall. 

274  valew]  A  corre£iion  in  MS.  for  equall. 
277  accus'd]  A  corre£lio7i  in  MS. for  condemde. 
295  cause]  caus'd  B. 


Sceruiii.'}  The  Qaptives,  147 

DENNIS.  Which  soone  I  did 
By  th'  helpe  of  a  short  ladder,  sett  him  theire 
In  a  close-place,  and  thoughe  not  of  the  sweetest. 
Yet,  as  I  thought,  the  safest;  left  him  then. 

F.  RiTCH.  Just  in  that  place  I  fovvnd  him,  and  imadgining       300 
He  satt  of  purpose  theire  to  despight  mee, 
I  hitt  him  with  a  stone;  hee  fell  withall, 
And  I  thought  I  had  slayne  him. 

DENNIS.  But  how  the  devill 
Gott  hee  into  our  porche?  That  woonders  mee. 

F.  RICHARD.  I  fownd  a  ladder  theire. 

DENNIS.  The  same  I  left.  30s 

F,  RICH.  Gott  him  vpon  my  shoolders,  and  by  that 
Conveigh'd  him  back  and  left  him  in  that  porch, 
Wheare,  as  it  seemes,  you  fownd  him. 

AVERNE.  This  troblinge  vs,  it  drove  vs  to  newe  plotts. 
Wee  arm'd  the  fryar,  accoutred  as  you  sawe,  31° 

MoCu;]nted  him  on  a  stallion,  lockt  him  fast 
Into  the  saddle,  turn'd  him  forthe  the  gates 
To  trye  a  second  fortune. 

F.  RICH.  Just  at  the  tyme 
When,  I  beeinge  mounted  on  the  baker's  mare, 
The  gates  weare  sett  wyde  ope  for  mee  to  fly.  315 

ABBOT.  So  that  it  seemes  one  beast  pursuide  the  tother, 
And  not  the  dead  Fryar  Richard. 

AVERNE.  Howsoever, 
As  one  repentant  for  my  rashnes  past 
And  loathe  to  imbrewe  mee  in  more  innocent  blood, 
I  fyrst  confesse  my  servant's  guilt  and  myne,  3*° 

Acquitt  the  fryar,  and  yeild  our  persons  vpp 
To  the  full  satisfaction  of  the  lawe. 
299  then]  there  B. 


148  "The  Qaptives,  x^^Aav. 

Cnter  the  lady  averne  and  her  maid,  millesent. 

LADY.  Which,  noble  sir,  the  Kinge  thus  mittigates; 
See,  I  have  heare  your  pardon.  In  the  tyme 

That  you  weare  ceas'd  with  this  deepe  melancholly  325 

And  inward  sorrowe  for  a  sinne  so  fowle, 
My  self  in  person  posted  to  the  Kinge  - 

(In  progresse  not  farr  off),  to  him  related 
The  passadge  of  your  busines,  neather  rose  I 
From  off  my  knees  till  hee  had  sign'd  to  this.  330 

AVERNE.  Th'  hast  doon  the  offyce  of  a  noble  wyfe. 
His  grace  I'l  not  despyse,  nor  thy  great  love 
Ever  forgett,  and  if  way  maye  bee  fownd 
To  make  least  sati[|s)]fadtion  to  the  dead, 
r\  doo't  in  vowed  repentance. 

ABBOT.  Which  our  prayers  335 

In  all  our  best  devotions  shall  assist. 

ASH  BUR.  All  ours,  great  syr,  to  boote. 

AVERNE.  Wee  knowe  you  well  andthanke  you. 

ASH  BURN.  But  must  nowe 
Forsake  this  place,  which  wee  shall  ever  blesse 
For  the  greate  good  that  wee  have  fownd  therein,  340 

And  hence  remoove  for  England. 

AVERNE.  Not  beefore 
All  your  successfull  joyes  wee  heare  related 
To  comfort  our  late  sorrowes;  to  which  purpose 
Wee  invite  you  and  your  frends  to  feast  with  vs. 
That  granted,  wee  will  see  you  safe  aboord;  345 

And  as  wee  heare  rejoyce  in  your  affayers, 
Forgett  not  vs  in  England  in  your  prayers. 

\^€'xeunt.'2 

FINIS. 


U\(otes. 


I 


1 


NOTES 


ACT   I:   SCENE  I 

THIS  scene  is  an  elaboration  and  dramatization  of  a  portion  of  the  Prologue  of 
Plautus'  Rudens  (Bohn,  pp.  66-67):  "this  Procurer  brought  the  maiden 
hither  to  Cyrene.  A  certain  Athenian  youth,  a  citizen  of  this  city,  beheld  her  as  she 
was  going  home  from  the  music-school.  He  begins  to  love  her;  to  the  Procurer  he 
comes;  he  purchases  the  damsel  for  himself  at  the  price  of  thirty  mins,  and  gives 
him  earnest,  and  binds  the  Procurer  with  an  oath.  This  Procurer,  just  as  befitted 
him,  did  not  value  at  one  straw  his  word,  or  what,  on  oath,  he  had  said  to  the  young 
man.  He  had  a  guest,  a  fit  match  for  himself,  an  old  man  of  Sicily,  a  rascal  from 
Agrigentum,  a  traitor  to  his  native  city;  this  fellow  began  to  extol  the  beauty  of  that 
maiden,  and  of  the  other  damsels,  too,  that  were  belonging  to  him.  On  this  he  began 
to  persuade  the  Procurer  to  go  together  with  himself  to  Sicily;  he  said  that  there  the 
men  were  given  to  pleasure;  that  there  he  might  be  enabled  to  become  a  wealthy 
man;  that  there  was  the  greatest  profit  from  courtesans.  He  prevails." 

1.1.9.  The  stayneles  swanne  With  all  the  ocean's  water  canott  wash  The  black- 
nesfrom  herfeete.  Possibly  an  adaptation  of  Titus  Andronicus,  4.  2.  loi  : 
"For  all  the  water  in  the  ocean 
Can  never  turn  the  swan's  black  legs  to  white, 
Although  she  lave  them  hourly  in  the  flood." 

I.  1. 18.  Lais.  A  famous  courtesan  of  Corinth,  born  about  480  B.C.,  loved  by 
Aristippus,  Diogenes,  and  others.  She  is  mentioned  m  A  Challenge  for  Beauty  (5. 
I,  p.  69)  as  a  notable  example  of unchastity. 

I.I.  26.  vnhecom.  Queried  by  Bullen,  but  this  is  clearly  the  reading  of  the  MS. 
The  context  shows  that  the  word  is  used  in  the  sense  of  "to  deprive,"  a  meaning 
that  I  have  not  found  cited  in  the  diftionaries. 

1.1.6 1.  Neapolitan  seignor.  A  correction  in  the  MS.  for  French  Monster,  Sei- 
gnior also  having  replaced  Monsieur  in  line  59  above.  Bullen  has  French  monster, 
Neapolitan  Seignor,  but  obviously  only  the  corredlion  should  be  retained. 


152  The  Qaptives, 

1. 1.72  fF.  more leakinge  vessayks,  etc.  BuUen  cites  I Edzvard IF,-p.  38:  "Com- 
mend me  to  blacke  Luce,  bouncing  Bess,  and  lusty  Kate,  and  the  other  pretty  mor- 
sels of  men's  flesh.  Farewell,  pink  and  pinnace,  flibote  and  caruel,  Turnbull  3.n6. 
Spittair 

1 .  1 .75.  the  huge  great  e  baye  of  Portitigall.  Wright  (Furness'  As  You  Like  It,  p. 
225  )  says  the  expression  bay  of  Portugal  \?,  "still  used  by  sailors  to  denote  that  por- 
tion of  the  sea  off  the  coast  of  Portugal  from  Oporto  to  the  headland  of  Cintra.  The 
water  there  is  excessively  deep,  and  within  a  distance  of  forty  miles  from  the  shore 
it  attains  a  depth  of  upwards  of  1400  fathoms,  which  in  Shakespeare's  time  would 
be  praftically  unfathomable." 

1 .  1 .  1 02.  Sometymes  byfayre  meatts,  then  againe  by  force.  Bullen's/(?a/  ior  force 
seems  more  natural,  hut  force  is  pretty  clearly  the  MS.  reading.  Hey  wood  contrasts 
"fair  means"  with  "force"  again  in  4.  i .  1 1 1 ,  112. 

I.I.I  22.  Mr.  Mildewe.  Mr.  has  been  changed  in  the  MS.  into  what  may  be 
intended  as  an  abbreviation  for  Seignior. 

1. 1. 2 1 3.  these peevishe  harletryes.  The  expression  "A  peevish  self-will' d  har- 
lotry" is  twice  used  by  Shakespeare,  in  Romeo  and  Juliet,  4.2.14  and  again  in  / 
Henry  IV,  3.1. 199.  White  (quoted  in  Furness'  Romeo  and  Juliet,  p.  225)  says: 
**This  phrase  was  used  with  as  little  meaning  of  reproach  in  Elizabeth's  time  as  'slut* 
was  in  Queen  Anne's." 

ACT  I:    SCENE  II 

1 . 2.99.  (  Y''are  a  rogue,  Ritchard.')  This  aside,  like  that  in  the  next  speech,  is  ex- 
tra-metrical. 

1. 2.124-28.  Cf.  Masuccio,  Novel  the  First,  p.  17:  "because  it  happened  that 
the  house  of  the  lady  was  quite  near  to  the  convent,  he  began  once  more  to  cast  his 
amorous  glances  upon  her  with  such  constant  importunity,  that  she  could  not  gaze 
out  of  a  window,  or  go  to  church,  or  to  any  other  place  without  doors,  and  not  find 
the  provoking  monk  continually  hovering  around." 

ACT  I:   SCENE  III 

This  scene  is  indebted,  more  or  less  completely,  to  Rudens.  Lines  1-24  are  an  elab- 
oration o{  Rudens,  i .  i ;  lines  24-72  take  the  place  o^  Rudens,  i  .2 ,  a  very  brief  scene 


The  Qaptives,  i  5  3 

in  which  Plesidippus  expresses  to  three  citizens  his  determination  to  visit  the  Temple 
of  Venus  on  the  bare  chance  of  discovering  the  Procurer ;  the  rest  of  the  nenc 
(lines  73-168)  is  a  free  adaptation  of  Rudens,  1.3,  4.  Passages  that  have  been  im- 
itated most  closely  from  Plautus  will  be  noted  below. 

1. 3. 1 -24.  Cf.  Rudens,  i.i: 

"scEPARNio  {to  himself^.  O  ye  immortal  Gods,  what  a  dV^/Jd/tf/ tempest  has 
Neptune  sent  us  this  last  night !  The  storm  has  unroofed  the  cottage  .  .  .  ;  it  has  so 
knocked  all  the  tiles  from  off  the  roof;  more  light  has  it  given  us,  and  has  added  to 
our  windows." 

1.3.21.  King  Agathocles.  Tyrant  ofSyracuse  (361-289).  Heywood  was  prob- 
ably thinking,  however,  not  of  Agathocles,  who  was  poisoned  (Grote,  Hist,  of 
Greece,  chap.  97),  but  of  Pyrrhus,  King  of  Epirus,  who,  as  he  fought  at  night  in 
Argos,  was  struck  on  the  head  by  an  enormous  tile,  and  falling  from  his  horse,  was 
killed  by  one  of  the  soldiers  of  Antigonus. 

1.3.77-83.  Cf.  Rudens,  1.3: 

•'PLESIDIPPUS.  Health  to  you,  good  father,  and  to  both  of  you,  indeed. 

DitMONES.  Health  to  you. 

SCEPARNIO.  {to  Plesidippus,  who  is  muffled  up  in  a  coat').  But  whether  are  you 
male  or  female,  who  are  calling  him  father? 

PLES.  Why  really,  I'm  a  man. 

D^MONES.  Then,  man,  go  seek  a  father  elsewhere.  I  once  had  an  only  daughter, 
that  only  one  I  lost.  Of  the  male  sex  I  never  had  a  child." 

1 .3.84.  fort\u\nate.  Possibly  better  printed,  here  and  elsewhere,  fort''riate. 

1. 3. 86- 1 00.  Cf.  Rudens,  1.3: 

"PLESIDIPPUS.  Inform  me  on  what  I  ask  you;  whether  you  have  seen  here 
any  frizzle-headed  fellow,  with  grey  hair,  a  worthless,  perjured,  fawning  knave. 

DitMONEs.  Full  many  a  one  ;  for  by  reason  of  fellows  of  that  stamp  am  I  living 
in  misery." 

1.3. 1 16.  hunt  dry  foote.  An  obsolete  expression  meaning  to  track  game  by  the 
mere  scent  of  the  foot  {N.E.D.). 

1. 3. 1 42  if.  Plautus  has  the  two  women  escape  in  a  ship's  boat;  from  this  they 
are  washed  by  the  violence  of  the  waves,  but  are  fortunately  then  in  such  shallow 
water  that  they  are  able  to  wade  to  shore. 

1 . 3 . 1 4  7 .  /  zvoold  I  we  are  som  dolphin  or  some  wha-^le  That  they  might  sitt  astryde 
vpon  ms  backe.  Cf.  Eng.  Traveler,  2.  i ,  p.  29:  "thinking  to  scape  As  did  Arion,  on 
the  Dolphins  backe." 


154  The  Qaptives. 

ACT  II:   SCENE  I 

The  first  74  lines  of  this  scene  are  an  adaptation  oi  Rudens,  Aft  I,  Scenes  5  and  6. 

2. 1 . 1  -20.  Ci.Rudens,  1.5:  "Do  I  receive  this  meed  in  return  for  my  exemplary 
piety?  For  to  me  it  would  not  prove  a  hardship  to  endure  this  laborious  lot,  if  J  had 
condufted  myself  undutiflilly  towards  my  parents  or  the  Gods ;  but  if  studiously  I 
have  exerted  myself  to  beware  of  that,  then,  unduly  and  unjustly.  Deities,  you  send 
upon  me  this.  For  what  henceforth  shall  the  glaringly  impious  receive,  if  after  this 
fashion  you  pay  honor  to  the  guiltless  ?  But  if  I  knew  that  I  or  my  parents  had  done 
anything  wicked,  now  should  I  have  grieved  the  less.  But  the  wickedness  oi  this 
master  of  mine  is  pressing  hard  upon  me,  his  impiety  is  causing  my  woes ;  everything 
has  he  lost  in  the  sea ;  these  are  the  remains  {looking  at  her  dress")  of  his  property." 

2. 1 . 1 6.  This  line  is  followed  in  the  MS.  by  ihree  cancelled  lines,  for  a  disciission 
of  which  see  Introduftion,  p.  1 1 . 

2.1 .60.  In  my  reserv* d  Scribonia.  Bullen's  restored  Scribonia  may  seem  prefer- 
able, but  his  reading  is  not  supported  by  the  MS.  For  reserve  with  the  meaning 
''preserve,"  not  unusual  in  Elizabethan  English,  cf.  Measure  for  Measure,  5. 1.472: 

"one  in  the  prison. 
That  should  by  private  order  else  have  died, 
I  have  reserv'd  alive." 

2.1.84.  ^'^^'^  sweete  echo.  Echo  songs  and  scenes  were  not  uncommon  in  the 
Elizabethan  drama  {see  Baskervill,  English  Elements  in  Jonson's  Early  Comedy,  pp. 
245,  246). 

2. 1. 100.  y  yet  man  is  then  these  much  more  crewell.  For  a  similar  idea,  cf. 
Shakespeare's  familiar  "Blow, blow,  thou  winter  wind"(y^i3^(?aZ//^^//,2.7. 174). 

2. 1. 195.  monthe^s  mind.  "A  more  or  less  playful  synonym  for  mind."  The 
"month's  mind  "  was  "the  commemoration  of  a  deceased  person  by  the  celebration 
of  masses,  etc.,  on  a  day  one  month  from  the  day  of  his  death"  {N.E.D.). 

2. 1 . 1 97.  ^nd  rayse  my  fortunes  fnany  storyes  hye.  Bullen  reads  steepes  for  story  es. 
Naturally  this  does  not  suit  him,  and  he  adds  in  a  foot-note:  "So  the  MS.  But  I 
am  tempted  to  read,  at  Mr.  Fleay's  suggestion, 'steeples.' "  Storyes  seems  to  me 
clearly  the  reading  of  the  MS. 


The  Qaptives,  i  5  5 


ACT  II:    SCP:NE  II 

The  179  lines  that  constitute  this  scene  are  adapted  more  or  less  consistently  from 
Rudens,  Aft  II,  Scenes  1-7.  Every  one  of  the  seven  scenes  has  its  counterpart  in 
The  Captives,  the  order  of  the  scenes  and  the  persons  speaking  being  the  same.  The 
dialogue,  however,  differs  in  detail  considerably. 

2.2.35.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.2;  •*  Save  you,  thieves  of  the  sea." 

2.2.38-46.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.2: 

"TRACHALio.  Hiive  you  seen  zuy  old  fellow,  bald  on  the  forehead  and  snub- 
nosed,  of  big  stature,  pot-bellied,  with  eyebrows  awry,  a  narrow  forehead,  a  knave, 
the  scorn  of  Gods  and  men,  a  scoundrel,  one  full  of  vile  dishonesty  and  of  iniquity, 
who  had  along  with  him  two  very  pretty-looking  young  women  ? 

FISHER.  One  who  has  been  born  with  qualities  and  endowments  of  that  sort, 
'twere  really  fitter  for  him  to  resort  to  the  executioner  than  to  the  Temple  of  Venus." 

2.2,56.  The  MS.  is  torn  and  illegible  at  this  point. 

2.2.73-74.  Cf.  Rudens, z.  4:  "if  he  has  deceived  Gods  and  men,  he  has  only 
afted  after  the  fashion  of  Procurers." 

2.2.87.  Shipp-tvrack  by  land.  An  allusion  to  a  story  of  Timasus  of  Tauromenium 
(see  Athenaios,  Deipnosoph.  2.5)  concerning  some  young  men  who,  overcome  by 
wine,  imagined  themselves  shipwrecked,  though  they  were  all  the  time  safe  in  their 
own  dwelling.  The  same  story  was  employed  in  one  of  the  most  lively  scenes  of 
The  English  Traveler  (2.  i,pp.  28,29).  ^oi"  conjedlures  as  to  Heyvvood's  imme- 
diate source,  see  W.  Bang  and  H.  de  Vocht,  Englische  Studien,  36.389-91. 

2.2.99.  ^'^-  Rudens,  2.4:  "Perished  through  drinkmg,  I  suppose ;  Neptune 
last  night  invited  him  to  deep  potations." 

2.2. 102-105.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.4:  "she's  afflifting  herself  in  mind  for  this,  be- 
cause the  Procurer  took  away  a  casket  from  her  which  she  had,  and  in  which  she 
kept  that  by  which  she  might  be  enabled  to  recognize  her  parents ;  she  fears  that 
this  has  been  lost." 

2.2.1  16.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.5:  "Who  is  it  so  furiously  making  an  attack  upon  our 
door?" 

2.2. 1  26-128.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.^: 

"AM  PEL  ISC  A.  Prithee,  why  do  you  make  so  much  fiiss  about  the  water  —  a  thing 
that  even  enemy  affords  to  enemy?" 

2.2.140.  Who  ever  lov'd  that  lov* d  not  att  fyrst  sight?  Bullenjpoints  out  that 


156  'The  Qaptives, 

this  line  is  from  Marlowe's  Hero  and  Leander  (line  1 76).  Shakespeare  quotes  the 
same  line  in  As  Tou  Like  It  (3.5.82). 

2.2. 142-161 :  Cf.  Rudens,  2.6: 

**AMPELiscA.  What  shall  I  say  to  the  Priestess  for  having  delayed  here  so  long  a 
time  ?  .  .  .  How,  even  still,  in  my  wretchedness  do  I  tremble,  when  with  my  eyes 
I  look  upon  the  sea.  {^She  looks  towards  the  shore.')  But  what,  to  my  sorrow,  do  I 
see  afar  upon  the  shore  ?  My  master,  the  Procurer,  and  his  Sicilian  guest,  both  of 
whom  wretched  I  supposed  to  have  perished  in  the  deep.  Still  does  thus  much  more 
of  evil  survive  for  us  than  we  had  imagined.  But  why  do  I  delay  to  run  off  into  the 
Temple,  and  to  tell  Palaestra  this,  that  we  may  take  refuge  at  the  altar  before  this 
scoundrel  of  a  Procurer  can  come  hither  and  seize  us  here?  I'll  betake  myself  away 
from  this  spot;  for  the  necessity  suddenly  arises/i'r  me  to  do  so.'''' 

2.2. 148.  €xit,  in  a  later  hand,  appears  in  the  margin  after  this  line.  Perhaps  it 
was  the  intention  of  the  reviser  to  end  the  scene  here. 

2.2. 162-179.  C^' Rudens,  2.7:  "how  heartily  I  did  draw  this.  The  well  seemed 
much  less  deep  than  formerly.  How  entirely  without  exertion  did  I  draw  this  up.  .  .  . 
I'faith,  I  shall  now  set  down  this  pitcher  in  the  middle  of  the  road.  But  yet,  suppose 
any  person  should  carry  away  from  here  this  sacred  pitcher  of  Venus,  he  would  be 
causing  me  some  trouble.  I'faith,  I'm  afraid  that  this  woman's  laying  a  trap  for  me, 
that  I  may  be  caught  with  the  sacred  pitcher  of  Venus.  In  such  case,  with  very  good 
reason,  the  magistrate  will  be  letting  me  die  in  prison,  if  any  one  shall  see  me  holding 
this.  For  it's  marked  with  the  name;  itself  tells  its  own  tale,  whose  property  it  is.  .  .  . 
It  must  then  be  carried  in-doors  by  me." 


ACT  II:    SCENE  III 

This  scene  follows  rather  freely  Rudens,  Aft  II,  Scenes  8  and  9. 

2.3.1,2.  Cf.  ^W^/w,  2.8: 

"  L  A  B  R  A  X .  The  person  that  chooses  himself  to  be  wretched  and  a  beggar,  let  him 
trust  himself  and  his  life  to  Neptune." 

2.3.6.  Why,  thou  of  none.  None  has  been  changed  in  the  MS.,  apparently  by  a 
later  hand,  to  one.  Neither  reading  is  very  satisfadlory. 

2. 3 . 1 1 .  Following  this  line,  these  two  deleted  lines,  pronounced  illegible  by  Bul- 
len,  appear  in  the  MS. : 


The  Qaptives,  157 

"A  magazine  of  ritchcs,  even  those 
By  whomc  I  ment  to  rayse  a  fortune  by." 
The  repetition  of  by  at  the  end  of  the  second  line  would  not  offend  an  Elizabethan. 
Cf.  Coriolanus,  2. 1 .  i8:  "  In  what  enormity  is  Marcius  poor  in? "  For  other  exam- 
ples, see  Abbott's  Shakespearean  Grammar,  j^  407.  I  have  not  restored  these  lines  to 
the  text  because  the  similarity  of  line  28  below  to  the  second  of  the  two  lines  sug- 
gests that  Hey  wood  himself  was  rcspon.sible  for  their  scoring  through. 

2.3.14-18.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.8: 

"CHARMiDES.Troth,  I'm  far  from  being  surprised  if  your  ship  has  been  wrecked, 
which  was  carrying  yourself,  a  villain,  and  your  property  villanously  acquired." 

2.3.3  1-33. Cf.  R"^t'"U  2.8:  "Nohot  liquor-shop  at  all  for  sure  does  he  provide; 
so  salt  and  cold  the  potions  that  he  prepares." 

2.3.50.  hott  bathes  to  sweet  in.  For  the  cure  of  venereal  diseases.  Jests  on  this 
praftice  are  common  in  the  Elizabethan  drama. 

2.3.56-58.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.8:  "What  whale,  I  wonder,  has  gobbled  up  my  wal- 
let, where  all  my  gold  and  silver  was  packed  up?" 

2.3.87  fF.  Doggerel  not  dissimilar  to  this  appears  in  several  of  Hey  wood's  plays 
(  The  Four  Prentices,  I  Edward  IV,  A  Woman  Killed  zvith  Kindness,  and  others  ) . 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  an  Elizabethan  audience  was  able  to  appreciate  it  more  than 
a  modern  reader  can. 

2.3. 103.  Cf.  Rudens,  2.9: 
♦'LAB RAX.  How  many  are  there? 
scEPARNio.  Just  as  many  as  you  and  I  make.  " 

ACT  III:   SCENE  I 

3. 1.  —  with  her  mayde.  The  words  and  page,  scored  through,  follow  ma'^de  in 
the  MS.  Obviously  the  presence  of  a  page  would  not  be  welcome  at  such  an  inter- 
view as  follows. 

3. 1.81.  6'<'^  Introduftion,  p.  23. 

3. 1.88.  in  heaven.  As  a  substitute  for  these  words,  elsewhere  has  been  written 
in  the  margin  by  what  appears  to  be  a  different  hand. 

3. 1 . 1  2  I .  Provyde  mee  ho\r\ses.  I  will  ryde.  A  similar  pretense  of  setting  forth 
upon  a  journey  was  more  than  once  used  by  Heywood  in  previous  plays  to  bring 


1 5  8  The  Qaptives. 

about  the  denouement  (see  A  Woman  Killed  with  Kindness,  p.  1 3  3 ,  and  The  Wise 
Woman  of  Hogs  don,  4.  i,  p.  337).  Here,  however.  Hey  wood  seems  merely  to  be 
following  Masuccio's  tale  (^see  Introduftion,  p.  20). 


ACT  III:    SCENE  II  ^ 

This  scene  is  an  adaptation  oi  Rudens,  Aft  III,  Scenes  2-9. 

3.2.70.  silsepaereales.  The  MS.  at  this  point  is  fairly  clear.  This  word  is  prob- 
ably merely  a  high-sounding  coinage  of  the  clownish  Godfrey,  without  specific 
meaning.  Bullen  queries  it  without  comment. 

3.2.85.  Cf.  Rudetis,  3.5:  "  My  own  women,  in  faft,  I  shall  drag  away  this  in- 
stant from  the  altar  by  the  hair,  in  spite  of  yourself,  and  Venus,  and  supreme  Jove." 

3 . 2 . 1 09- 1 1 1 .  Cf.  Rudens,  3.5: 

♦ '  L  A  B  R  A  X .  May  I  at  least  address  these  women  ? 

DiEMONES.  You  may  not." 

3 . 2. 1 1  5 .  Stafford's  lazve.  Punningly  for  a  thrashing  ( N.E.D.'). 

3.2. 1 24.  wee  have  too  stringes  to  our  bo^w'^.  Already  proverbial  in  1 546,  when 
John  Hey  wood  printed  his  Proverbs. 

3.2. 128.  chancery  or  starr-chamber.  Chancery,  the  highest  court  of  justice  next 
to  Parliament;  Star-chamber,  a  court  of  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiftion  at  Westmin- 
ster. Under  James  I  and  Charles  I,  the  Star-chamber  became  an  instrument  of  royal 
tyranny,  though  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  Heywood  is  using  the  term  with 
any  such  implication  here. 

3.2.135.  too  Frensh  crownes  and  they  so  crack  [/.]  The  Elizabethans  were  very 
fond  of  this  pun.  Bald  heads  were  often  called  French  crowns  (French  ecu),  the 
implication  being  that  the  baldness  was  produced  by  the  "French  disease." 

3.2.139.  Stafford.  See  note  on  line  115. 

3.2.140-151.  Cf.  Rudens,  3.7: 

"PLESiDippus.  And  did  the  Procurer  attempt  byforce  <i»^ violence  to  drag  my 
mistress  away  from  the  altar  of  Venus? 

TRACHALIO.   EvCn  SO. 

PLES.  Why  didn't  you  kill  him  on  the  instant? 

TRACH.  I  hadn't  a  sword. 

PLES.  You  should  have  taken  either  a  stick  or  a  stone. 


T'he  Qaptives.  159 

TRACH.  What!  ought  I  to  have  pelted  this  most  villanous  fellow  with  stones 
like  a  dog  ? ' ' 

3.2. 1  74-1  77.  Cf.  Rudetis,  3.8: 

"PLEsiDiPPUs.  Didn't  you  receive  an  earnest  of  me  for //^// woman, ...  and 
carry  her  off  from  here? 

LABRAX  .  I  didn't  carry  her  off. 

p  L  E  s .  Why  do  you  deny  it .-' 

LAB.  Troth  now,  because  I  put  her  on  board  ship;  carry  her  off,  unfortunately, 
I  couldn't.  For  my  part  1  told  you  that  this  day  I  would  make  my  appearance  at 
the  Temple  of  Venus ;  have  1  swerved  at  all/row  that?  Am  1  not  there?" 

3.2.230.  I  have  a  curst  wyfe  at  home.  Curst  often  meant  "cross"  or  ♦•shrew- 
ish"; cf.  Heywood's  Rape  of  Lucrece,^.  169,  and  y^  Midsumjner-Night' s  Dream, 
3.2.299: 

^*  Helena.  1  pray  you,  though  you  mock  me,  gentlemen. 
Let  her  not  hurt  me  :  I  was  never  curst ; 
I  have  no  gift  at  all  in  shrewishness.  " 


ACT  III:   SCENE  III 

3.3.44-53.  Cf.  Masuccio,  Novel  the  First,  p.  18:  "Whereupon  a  waiting  girl 
appeared  and  conduced  him,  as  if  he  had  been  a  blind  man,  through  the  darkness 
into  the  hall,  where  he  deemed  that  he  would  be  joyfully  received  by  the  lady  her- 
self. " 

3.3.57.  5^^  Introdudlion,  p.  24. 

3.3.88.  \Lett's  remove  itt\then.  The  first  three  words  of  this  passage  are  to  me 
illegible.  I  adopt  Bullen's  reading  with  some  misgiving,  in  the  hope  that  thirty-five 
years  ago  the  writing  was  a  trifle  less  dim. 

3.3.101.  Any  t hinge  For  a  quiet  lyfe.  Bardett  does  not  trace  this  proverb  beyond 
the  title  of  one  of  Middleton's  plays. 

3.3.106.  museinge.  Bullen  reads  museings,  but  adds  the  following  foot-note: 
"So  I  read  at  a  venture.  The  MS.  appears  to  give  'Inseinge.'  " 


i6o  The  Qaptives, 

ACT  IV:   SCENE  I 

Though  a  large  part  of  this  scene  is  derived  from  Rudens,  the  opening  speech 
(lines  I  - 1 1 )  finds  no  counterpart  there.  Lines  12-416  have  their  source  in  Rudens, 
Aft  IV,  Scenes  2-7  ;  here  and  there  passages  are  expanded,  but  a  great  deal  is 
omitted. 

4. 1 .8.  they  singe  with  no  lesse  sweetenes.  The  mermaid  was  often  confused  with 
the  siren  of  classical  mythology ;  cf.  Comedy  of  Errors,  3.2.45.  iSi?^  also  Chaucer, 
Nun's  Priest's  Tale  (lines  449-45 1 ) : 

*  ♦  Chauntecleer  so  free 
Song  merier  than  the  mermayde  in  the  see, 
—  For  Phisiologus  seith  sikerly." 

4.1.24-40.  Cf.  Rudens,  i^.  2. 

"GRIP us. This  have  I  found  in  the  sea  today;  whatever' s  in  it, it's  something 
heavy  that's  in  it ;  I  think  it's  gold  that's  in  it.  And  not  a  single  person  is  there  my 
confidant  in  the  matter.  Now,  Gripus,  this  opportunity  has  befallen  you,  that  the 
Praetor  might  make  you  a  free  man  from  among  the  multitude.  Now,  thus  shall  I  do, 
this  is  my  determination;  I'll  come  to  my  master  cleverly  and  cunningly,  little  by 
little  I'll  promise  money  for  my  freedom,  that  I  may  be  free.  Now,  when  I  shall  be 
free,  then,  in  fine,  I'll  provide  me  land  and  houses  and  slaves :  I'll  carry  on  mer- 
chandise with  large  ships  :  among  the  grandees  I  shall  be  considered  a  grandee." 

4. 1 .46.  What  art  thou,  a  shrimpe,  a  dogg-fyshe,  or  a  poor  e  Jhon?  Poor  Johnv^-i.% 
a  name  for  the  hake  salted  and  dried  for  food,  often  a  type  of  poor  fare.  All  three  of 
these  names  were  sometimes  applied  contemptuously  to  persons. 

4. 1. 50-5  2.  Cf  Rudens,  4.3  :  **nofishhaveI,  young  man;  don't  you  be  suppos- 
ing I  have.  Don't  you  see  that  I'm  carrying  my  dripping  net  without  the  scaly  race  ?" 

4.1.53-55.  Cf  Rudens,  4.3: 

"TRACHALio.  I 'faith,  I'm  not  wishing  for  fish  so  much  as  I  am  in  need  of  your 
conversation. ' ' 

4. 1 .64-1  34.  These  lines  are  im.itated  closely  from  Rudens,  Aft  4,  Scene  3  : 

"GRIPUS.  I  do  give  you  my  word;  I'll  be  true  to  you,  whoever  you  are. 

TRACH  ALIO.  Listen.  I  saw  a  person  commit  a  theft;  I  knew  the  owner  to  whom 

that  szmt  property  belonged.  Afterwards  I  came  myself  to  the  thief,  and  I  made  him 

a  proposal  in  these  terms:  *I  know  the  person  on  whom  that  thefi:  was  committed; 

now  if  you  are  ready  to  give  me  half,  I'll  not  make  a  discovery  to  the  owner.'  He 


'The  Qaptives.  1 6 1 

didn't  even  give  me  an  answer.  What  is  it  fair  should  be  given  me  out  of  it?  Half,  I 
trust  you  will  say. 

GRIP.  Ave,  even  more;  but  unless  he  gives  it  you,  I  think  it  ought  to  be  told  to 
the  owner. 

TRACH.  I'll  aft  on  your  advice.  Now  give  me  your  attention;  for  it  is  to  your- 
self all  this  relates. 

c  R I r.  What  has  been  done  by  me? 

TRACH.  {pointing  to  the  wallet^.  I've  known  the  person  for  a  long  time  to  whom 
that  wallet  belongs. 

GRIP.  What  do  you  mean  ? 

TRACH.  And  in  what  manner  it  was  lost. 

GRIP.  But  I  know  in  what  manner  it  was  found ;  and  I  know  the  person  who  found 
it,  and  who  is  now  the  owner.  That,  i' faith,  is  not  a  bit  the  more  your  matter  than 
it  is  my  own.  I  know  the  person  to  whom  it  now  belongs;  you,  the  f)erson  to  whom 
it  formerly  belonged.  This  shall  no  individual  get  away  from  me;  don't  you  be  ex- 
pelling to  get  it  in  a  hurry. 

TRACH.  If  the  owner  comes,  shan't  he  get  it  away? 

GRIP.  That  you  mayn't  be  mistaken,  no  born  person  is  there  that'sowner  of  this 
but  my  own  self — who  took  this  in  my  own  fishing. 

TRACH.  Was  it  really  so  ? 

GRIP.  Which  fish  in  the  sea  will  you  say  Ms  my  own'?  When  I  catch  them,  if 
indeed  I  do  catch  them,  they  are  my  own;  as  my  own  I  keep  them.  They  are  not 
claimed  as  having  a  right  to  freedom,  nor  does  any  person  demand  a  share  in  them. 
In  the  market  I  sell  them  all  openly  as  my  own  wares.  Indeed,  the  sea  is,  surely, 
common  to  all  persons. 

TRACH.  I  agree  to  that;  prithee,  then,  why  any  the  less  is  it  proper  that  this 
wallet  should  be  common  to  me?  It  was  found  in  the  sea. 

GRIP.  Assuredly  you  are  an  outrageously  impudent  fellow;  for  if  this  is  justice 
which  you  are  saying,  then  fishermen  would  be  ruined.  Inasmuch  as,  the  moment 
that  the  fish  were  exposed  upon  the  stalls,  no  one  would  buy  them;  every  person 
would  be  demanding  his  own  share  of  the  fish  for  himself;  he  would  be  saying  that 
they  were  caught  in  the  sea  that  was  common  to  all. 

TRACH.  What  do  you  say,  you  impudent/^/Zuei'/'  Do  you  dare  to  compare  a  wal- 
let with  fish  ?  Pray,  does  it  appear  to  be  the  same  thing? 

GRIP.  The  matter  doesn't  lie  in  my  power;  when  I've  cast  my  hook  and  net  into 
the  sea,  whatever  has  adhered  I  draw  out.  Whatever  my  net  and  hooks  have  got, 
that  in  especial  is  my  own. 


1 62  TheQaptives, 

TRACH.  Nay  but,  i' faith,  it  is  not;  if,  indeed,  you've  fished  up  any  article  that's 
made. 

GRIP.  Philosopher,  j;oa. 

TRACH.  But  look  now,  you  conjurer,  did  you  ever  see  a  fisherman  who  caught  a 
wallet-fish,  or  exposed  one  for  sale  in  the  market?  .  .  .  Of  what  color  is  it? 

GRIP,  (^looking  at  the  wallet^.  Of  this  color  very  few  are  caught:  some  are  of  a 
purple  skin,  there  are  great  and  black  ones  also.  .  .  .  If  you  are  the  helmsman  of  this 
ship,  I'll  be  the  pilot.  Let  go  of  the  rope  now,  you  villain.  .  .  .  Stay  now;  I've  dis- 
covered by  what  method  you  may  be  neither  thief  nor  sharer. 

TRACH.  By  what  method? 

GRIP.  Let  me  go  away  from  here;  you  quietly  go  your  own  way,  and  don't  you 
inform  against  me  to  any  one,  and  I  won't  give  anything  to  you.  You  hold  your 
tongue;  I'll  be  mum.  This  is  the  best  and  the  fairest /iZ2».  .  .  . 

TRACH.  (^pointing  to  the  cottage  of  Dosmofies').  The  person  that  lives  in  that 
cottage,  should  you  like  it  to  be  decided  by  his  arbitration?" 

4. 1 . 1  3  5-1 90.  These  lines  have  their  source  in  a  monologue  by  Daemones  which 
forms  Aft  4,  Scene  i,  o{ Rude7is,  and  in  the  following  speeches  from  the  beginning 
of  Aft  4,  Scene  4: 

"Dj^mones  (^to  the  WomeTi).  Seriously,  upon  my  faith,  ^£?a;?^  women,  although 
I  wish  what  you  desire,  I'm  afraid  that  on  your  account  my  wife  will  be  turning  me 
out  of  doors,  who'll  be  saying  that  I've  brought  harlots  here  before  her  very  eyes. 
Do  you  take  refuge  at  the  altar  rather  than  I. 

THE  w^OMEN.  We,  wretched  creatures,  are  undone.  (  They  weep.y 

4. 1. 192-194.  Cf.  Rudens,  \.i: 

<*GRiPus  {^aside^.  By  my  troth,  he  never  this  day  will  award  three  obols  away 
from  his  own  servant." 

4. 1. 199-214.  Cf.  Rudens,  4.4: 

**TRACHALio  {pointing  to  Gripus').  Is  he  your  servant? 
GRiPus.  I'm  not  ashamed  to  say  yes. 
TRACH.  I've  nothing  to  do  with  you. 
GRIP.  Then  get  you  gone  hence,  will  you. 
TRACH.  Prithee,  do  answer  me,  aged  sir;  is  he  your  servant? 
D^SMONEs.  He  is  mine. 

TRACH.  Oh  then,  that  is  very  good,  since  he  is  yours.  Again  I  salute  you. 
D^M.  And  I  you.  Are  you  he  who,  not  long  since,  went  away  from  here  to 
fetch  his  master  ? 
TRACH.  I  am  he.    . 


The  Qaptives.  163 


DitM.  What  now  is  it  that  you  want? 

TR ACH.  {pointing  to  Gripus).  This  is  your  servant,  you  say? 

DitM.  He  is  mine. 

TRACH.  That  is  very  good,  since  he  is  yours. 

DitM.  What's  the  matter?  .  .  . 

TRACH,  I  fancy  I'm  to  move  the  matter  first, 

GRIP,  If  indeed  you  were  a  decent  person,  you  would  be  moving  yourself  off 
from  here.  ,  .  .  Will  you  give  the  right  of  speaking  to  a  stranger  sooner  than  to  your 
own  servant?'''' 

4.1.200-203.  These  lines,  as  well  as  209-213  below,  are  printed  by  Bullen  as 
foot-notes.  They  follow  the  Latin  play  rather  closely,  and  would  seem  to  deserve  to 
be  included  no  less  than  other  passages  which,  though  scored  through  in  the  MS,, 
were  not  relegated  by  Bullen  to  the  position  of  foot-notes. 

4. 1.229.  '^^^^  not  fishe  that  com' s  to  nett.  Apparently  a  modification  of  the,  at 
that  time,  familiar  proverb,  "All  is  fish  that  cometh  to  net"  (quoted  by  John  Hey- 
wood), 

4, 1,237,  \Snter  Godfrey.^  Since  Heywood  has  failed  to  indicate  at  what  point 
between  lines  190  and  241  Godfrey  returns,  I  place  his  entrance  arbitrarily  at  line 
237, 

4,1,244-250,  Cf.  Rudens,  4,4: 

♦•gripus,  I'll  trust  it  to  you;  but  for  you  to  return  it  me,  if  there  are  none  of 
those  things  in  it, 

D/EMONEs,  It  shall  be  returned, 
GRIP,  Take  it, " 

4,1.268-284.  Cf.  Rudens,  if. \: 

"PALESTRA,  That  is  it.  O  my  parents,  here  do  I  keep  you  locked  up;  here  have 
I  enclosed  both  my  wealth  and  my  hopes  of  recognizing  you. 

GRIPUS  {aside).  Then,  by  my  faith,  the  Gods  must  be  enraged  with  you,  who- 
ever you  are,  who  fasten  up  your  parents  in  so  narrow  a  compass, 

D^MONEs,  Gripus,  come  hither,  your  cause  is  being  tried,  (  To  Palestra.)  Do 
you,  young  woman,  away  at  a  distance  there  say  what's  in  it,  and  of  what  appear- 
ance; mention  them  all.  By  my  troth,  if  you  make  ever  so  slight  a  mistake,  even  if 
afterwards  you  wish,  madam,  to  correft  yourself,  you'll  be  making  a  great  mistake." 

4,1.318,  319.  Cf,  Rudens,  ^.i^: 

"PAL.csTRA,  There's  also  a  golden  drop,  which  my  father  presented  to  me  up- 
on my  birthday." 


1 64  T^he  Qaptives, 

4.1.344-362.  Cf.  Rudensy^.j : 

"D^MONES.  Tell  him  how  this  matter  has  fallen  out  about  my  daughter.  Re- 
quest him  to  leave  other  occupations  and  to  come  here. 

TRACHALio.  Very  well.  d^m.  Tell  him  that  I'll  give  him  my  daughter  for  a 
wife. 

TRACH.  Very  well.  d^m.  And  that  I  knew  his  father,  and  that  he  is  a  relation 
of  my  own. 

TRACH,  Very  well.  d^m.  But  do  make  haste. 

TRACH.  Very  well. 

D/EM.  Take  care  and  let  a  dinner  be  prepared  here  at  once. 

TRACH.  Very  well.  dieu.  What,  all  very  well. 

TRACH.  Very  well.  But  do  you  know  what  it  is  I  want  of  you?  That  you'll  re- 
member what  you  promised,  that  this  day  I'm  to  be  free. 

DiEM.  Very  well,  trach.  Take  care  and  entreat  Plesidippus  to  give  me  my 
freedom. 

DiEM.  Very  well,  trach.  And  let  your  daughter  request  it;  she'll  easily  pre- 
vail." 

4.1.346  fF.  €y,  syr.  Hey  wood's  rendering  of  Plautus'  licet. 

4.1.402-404.  Cf.  Rudens,  4.  6: 

"DiEM ONES.  What  do  I  behold?  Embracing  her,  my  wife  is  clasping  my  daugh- 
ter around  her  neck.  Her  caressing  is  really  almost  too  foolish  and  sickening." 

4. 1 .41 7.  Lett  ech  man  speake  as  he'' s possest,  etc.  In  this  song,  Heywood  follows 
the  example  of  Greene,  Lodge,  and  others,  who  were  fond  of  praismg  rural  life  in 
themanner  of  Horace.  Cf.  Lodge's  Old  Damon' 5  Pastoral  zxi6.  Greene's  Maesia's 
So  fig  and  The  Shepherd's  Wife' s  Song. 


ACT  IV:    SCENE  II 

4.2.9.  S.  George  a  horsbacke.  St.  George,  the  patron  saint  of  England,  was  fre- 
quently represented,  both  on  canvas  and  in  stone,  astride  a  mighty  charger,  with  the 
dragon,  newly  slain,  before  him  on  the  ground, 

4.2. 1 1.  Hee'' s  where  hee  is  in  commons,  wee  dischardg* d.  The  MS.  shows  that 
Heywood  enlarged  upon  the  idea  contained  in  the  first  half  of  this  line,  and  then, 
apparently  reconsidering,  crossed  out  what  he  had  written.  The  passage  originally 
ran  thus : 


The  Qaptives,  165 

"Hee's  novve  where  hee's  in  commons,  wee.  .  . 
Heare  on  this  seate  (nay  hold  your  head  vpp,  Jhon, 
Lyke  a  goodd  boy),  freely  discharged  our  selfes,"  etc. 

4. 2. 1 6  rt".  The  somewhat  similar  scene  in  The  Jew  of  Malta,  in  which  Friar  Ja- 
como  imagines  he  has  killed  Friar  Barnardine  (IV.  223),  has  been  ascribed  to 
Heywood.  Besides  the  similarity  of  the  two  incidents,  the  faft  that  Hey  wood  re- 
vived The  Jew  of  Malta  at  court  and  at  the  Cock-pit,  and  published  it  in  1633  (no 
earlier  edition  is  extant),  lends  the  assumption  some  weight.  P.  Aronstein  b  inclined 
to  attribute  the  passage  to  Heywood  {^Anglia  37.  255),  but  Professor  C.  F.  T. 
Brooke  considers  that  the  relationship  between  the  two  scenes  "cannot  be  held  to 
prove  that  Heywood  is  author  of  the  passage  in  The  Jew  of  Malta,-w\i\c\\  is  evident- 
ly earlier  and  less  carefully  worked  out  than  the  other  version ' '  (  Works  of  Christo- 
pher Marlowe,  p.  232).  The  probable  currency  of  the  old  tale  from  which  this  in- 
cident is  taken  (^see  Introduftion,  p.  18)  makes  Hey  wood's  responsibility  for  its 
occurrence  in  The  Jew  of  Malta  at  any  rate  extremely  doubtful. 

4.2.26-33.  Cf.  Masuccio,  Novel  the  First,  p.  20  :  "God's  faith,  this  fellow  sits 
there,  and  refuses  to  make  way  for  me,  for  no  other  reason  than  to  show  me,  even  in 
a  matter  of  this  sort,  the  enmity  which  he  bears  towards  me  through  his  ill  will,  but 
in  this  instance  he  will  find  his  spite  of  no  avail." 

4.2.40.  6'f'^  Introduftion,  p.  24. 

4.2.62.  Then  1  to  tugge  with  benshes.  Dennis'  speech  originally  ended  thus: 
"Then  I  to  tugge  with  lawe.  That  done  to  secure 
A  guilty  life  and  prevent  deathe  with  shame. 
By  the  same  stepps  returne  the  waye  I  came." 
In  the  MS.,  benshes  has  been  substituted  for  latve,  and  the  rest  stricken  through. 
Because  of  the  similarity  of  these  lines  to  lines  95  and  96  below,  I  have  not  restored 
them  to  the  text.  See  Introdu6Hon,  p,  12. 

4.2.62-92.  Cf.  Masuccio,  Novel  the  First,  p.  22  :  "  Messer  Roderico,  who  all 
that  night  had  slept  little  or  not  at  all,  through  disquiet  over  the  deed  he  had  WTOught, 
when  at  last  the  day  was  near  at  hand  took  occasion  to  send  his  servant  into  the  pur- 
lieus of  the  convent,  in  order  that  by  listening  he  might  discover  whether  the  friars 
had  yet  come  upon  the  dead  body  of  Maestro  Diego,  and  what  they  might  have  to 
say  about  the  matter." 

4.2.92.  makes.  The  subject  of /w^i^/  is  "the  presence  ot  seditious  thoughts." 
5^^  Abbott's  Shakespearean  Grammar,  §  337. 

4.2. 1  13.  On  ear  the  to  cry,  ''Hndi^ar*  See  the  Spanish  Tragedy,  3.1  3.1. 
This  may,  however,  be  a  direft  reference  to  Seneca.' sO^avia.-Findi^a  debet  ur  mi  hi. 


1 66  The  Qaptives. 

4.2.  133  ff.  <S^^  Introduftion,  p.  zi. 

4. 2. 1 64.  mattens.  "One  of  the  canonical  hours  of  the  breviary;  properly  a  mid- 
night office,  but  sometimes  recited  at  daybreak "  (^N.E.D.^.    ' 

ACT  V:    SCENE  I 

This  scene  is  original  with  Hey  wood  with  the  exception  of  lines  30-46,  which  have 
their  source  in  Rudens,  Aft  V,  Scene  I. 

5.1,  30-40.  Cf.  Rudens,  5.1  : 

"PLEsiDiPPus.  Has  Palaestra  found  her  father  and  mother? 

TRACHALio.  She  has  found  them. 

PLES.  And  is  she  my  countrywoman? 

TRACH.  So  I  think,  ples.  And  is  she  to  marry  me? 

TRACH.  So  I  suspeft.  PLES.  Prithee,  do  you  reckon  that  he  will  betroth  her  to 
me?" 

5. 1.70.  argentum potabile.  "A  quibble  on  ^&  aururn potabile o'i \}cLto\di  pharma- 
cists." F.  G.  Fleay.  "Aurum  potabile,  'drinkable  gold,'  gold  held  in  a  state  of 
minute  subdivision  in  some  volatile  oil,  formerly  in  repute  as  a  cordial "  (  iV.  E.  Z). ) . 

ACT  V:    SCENE  II 

5.2.12.  Least  I  shoold  ryde  another.  The  word  mare  was  humorously  applied 
to  the  gallows. 

5.2.22,  23.  Cf.  Masuccio,  Novel  the  First,  p.  23  :  "the  stallion  perceived  by 
the  odour  he  sniffed  that  a  mare  must  be  somewhere  near  about." 

5.2.53-57.  Cf.  Masuccio,  iVij?'^//^^  i^/rj/,  p.  24  :  "Now,  because  of  this  shout- 
ing and  of  the  clatter  made  by  the  uncontrolled  horses,  all  the  townsfolk  betook 
themselves  to  the  doors  and  the  windows — it  being  by  this  time  broad  daylight — 
and  each  one  looked  on  in  amazement." 

ACT  V:    SCENE  III 

The  first  i  27  lines  of  this  scene  are  indebted  to  Rudens,  most  of  the  content  of  lines 
1-17  being  found  in  a  brief  monologue  by  Labrax  that  constitutes  Aft  V,  Scene  2, 
o{ Rudens,  and  lines  18-127  following,  with  considerable  freedom,  Rudens,  Aft  V, 
Scenes  3  and  4.  Lines  1 28-240  are  original  with  Hey  wood  (j^^  Introduftion,  p.  16). 


The  Qaptives,  167 

5.3.1.  the  tlisease  of  Naples.  A  form  of  syphilis.  Italy  shared  with  France,  among 
Englishmen,  the  reputation  of  fostering  and  spreading  venereal  diseases. 

5.3.2-13.  Cf  Ruiiens,  5.2: 

"LA  BR  AX.  Palaestra  has  just  been  taken  from  me  by  award.  I'm  ruined  outright. 
But  I  do  believe  that  Procurers  were  procreated  for  mere  sport;  so  much  do  all  per- 
sons make  sport  if  any  misfortune  befalls  a  Procurer." 

5.3.  18-27.  Cf  Rudens,  5.3: 

"GRiPus.  By  my  troth,  in  letters  a  cubit  long,  I'll  immediately  post  it  up  in  every 
quarter,  *  If  any  person  has  lost  a  wallet  with  plenty  of  gold  and  silver,  let  him 
come  to  Gripus.'  You  shan't  keep  it  as  you  are  wishing." 

5.3.47-70.  Cf  Rudens,  5.3: 

** GRIPUS.  What  would  you  be  ready  to  give  to  one  who  should  find  these  out  for 
you,  and  give  you  information.?  Say  speedily  and zl  once. 

LA  BR  AX.  Three  hundred  didrachms.  grip.  Rubbish. 

LAB.  Four  hundred,  grip.  Old  thrums. 

LAB.  Five  hundred,  grip.  A  rotten  nut. 

LAB.  Six  hundred. 

GRIP.  You  are  prating  about  mere  tiny  weevils.  .  .  . 

LAB.  I'll  give  a  thousand  didrachms. 

grip.  You  are  dreaming.  ... 

LAB.  Say  how  much  you  ask. 

GRIP.  That  you  mayn't  be  adding  anything  against  your  inclination,  a  great 
talent;  it's  not  possible  for  three  obols  to  be  bated  thence;  then  do  you  say  either 
*yes'  or  *no'  at  once.  .  .  . 

LAB.  Be  it  so.  GRIP,  (speaking,  while  Labrax  repeats  after  him).  \'enus  ot  Cy- 
rene,  I  invoke  thee  as  my  witness,  if  I  shall  find  that  wallet  which  I  lost  in  the  ship, 
safe  with  the  gold  and  silver,  and  it  shall  come  into  my  possession .  .  . 

LAB.  (to  himself).  If  ever  so  much  he  shall  restore  to  me  this  wallet,  I'm  not  this 
day  indebted  to  him  three  obols  even.  It's  according  to  my  own  intention  what  my 
tongue  swears." 

5.3.81-85.  Cf  Rudens,  5.4: 

**Di^  MONEs.  Everything  in  it  is  safe;  there  has  only  been  one  casket  taken  out  of 
it,  with  some  trinkets,  by  means  of  which  this  day  I  have  found  my  daughter." 

5.3.89,  90.  I  heare  acquitt  you  of  all  chardges  past  Due  for  her  education.  The 
procurer  (leno)  of  classical  times  was  accustomed  to  purchase  young  female  slaves. 
Before  selling  them  or  letting  them  out  as  prostitutes,  he  would  give  them  an  excel- 


1 68  The  Qaptives. 

lent  education.  Indeed  it  is  on  her  return  from  a  music  school  that  Palaestra,  accord- 
ing to  Plautus,  is  seen  and  loved  by  Plesidippus. 

5. 3. 91-100.  Cf.  Rudens,  5.4: 
"GRiPus.  Hark  you,  you've  got  the  wallet  now. 
LAB  RAX.  I  have  got  it.  grip.  Make  haste. 

LAB.  Make  haste  about  what?  grip.  To  pay  me  the  money.  ; 

LAB.  By  my  troth,  I'll  neither  give  you  anything  nor  do  I  owe  you  anything. 
GRIP.  What  mode  of  proceeding  is  this?  Don't  you  owe  it  me? 
LAB.  Troth,  not  I  indeed,  grip.  Didn't  you  promise  it  me  upon  your  oath? 
LAB.  I  did  take  an  oath,  and  now  I'll  take  an  oath,  if  it  is  in  any  way  my  own 
pleasure;  oaths  were  invented  for  preserving  property,  not  for  losing  it." 

5.3. 1 18-127.  Cf.  Rudens,  5.4: 

'  *  D  i^  M  o  N  E  s.  Tell  me,  at  what  price  did  you  buy  that  other  young  woman,  Am- 
pelisca  ? 

LABRAX.  I  paid  down  a  thousand  didrachms. 

Di^  M.  Should  you  like  me  to  make  you  a  handsome  offer? 

LAB.  I  should  like  it  much.  d^em.  I'll  divide  the  talent, 

LAB.  You  aft  fairly. 

D^M.  For  that  other  woman,  Ampelisca,  that  she  may  be  free,  take  you  one  half, 
and  gwt  the  other  half  to  him. 

LAB.  By  all  means. 

D^M.  For  that  half  I'll  give  his  freedom  to  Gripus,  by  means  of  whom  you  found 
your  wallet,  and  I  my  daughter. ' ' 

5.3. 127.  \£xit  Godfrey.]  As  Hey  wood  has  apparently  forgotten  to  have  God- 
frey leave  the  stage  in  preparation  for  his  return  at  line  240,  I  have  placed  his  exit 
arbitrarily  at  this  point. 

5.3.281.  drawe  thy  neck  out  of  the  collar.  Perhaps  proverbial.  Cf.  Romeo  and 
Juliet,  1. 1.4  :  **Ay,  whUe  you  live,  draw  your  neck  out  o'  the  collar." 


(glossary. 


?>r~V  VV  'V^^'  VV  "V^'  VV^  'V'V  V-y"  ""V^N' 

^y  \}V^y  ^Ipy  \}r^y  K^lP^i 
^'i-^^iV  (?i-4v  (/i'4v  C>-iV  (/i'-iV 

>i^  iA'^t  (S-^Aj  .AtX*  <.v^-\j  vA.^*  iVo^.,  ..A^«  tV,A^  ^--'« 


GLOSSARY 


T 


HOUGH  various  diftionaries  and  lexicons  have  been  consulted  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  this  glossary.  The  New  English  'DiSlionary  has  been  my  chief  re- 


Agree,  V.  -j-Combine  to  prove  (use  not  found  in  N.  E.  D.).  4.1.328. 

Angle,  n.  Line  and  rod.  ^rch.  2.2.  i  i  2. 

Anticke,  a.  Grotesque.  1.2.63. 

Arch-piller,  n.  f  Worst  of  robbers.  3.2.107. 

f  Arrant,  n.  Errand.  4.1.366. 

Ballanst,  ppl.  a.  Steadied  by  reefing  with  a  balance-reef.  Possibly  ballasted,  loaded. 
1. 1.73. 

■j-Basse  [base],  n.  "A  plaited  skirt  .  .  .  ;  also  an  imitation  of  this  in  mailed  armor. " 
iV.£.D.  4.2.136. 

Beaver,  n.  Oh.  exc.  hist.  "The  lower  portion  of  the  face-guard  of  a  helmet,  when 
worn  with  a  visor."  Planche.  4.2.138. 

Brable,  v.  Obs.  or  arch.  exc.  dial.  Dispute  captiously.  4.1.6. 

Budget,  n.  fA  leather  wallet  or  bag.  2. 1.24. 

Burn,  v.  -j-Infeft  with  venereal  disease.  2.3.30. 

But,  conj.  If  not,  unless.  Arch.  4.2.  i  16. 

Cage,  n.  -j-^'A  prison  for  petty  malefaftors."  Johnson.  5.3.65. 

fCap-case,  n.  A  travelmg  case,  bag,  or  wallet.  4. 1.74. 

Capp  a  pe,  adv.  From  head  to  foot.  4.2. 144. 

fCardeq,  n.  "An  old  French  silver  com  worth  y^  of  the  gold  ecuT  N.  E.D.  5.1. 
69. 

Cast,  ppl.  a.  Discarded  4. 2.  i  3  1 . 

Catamiting,  ppl.  a.  Keeping  a  boy  for  unnatural  purposes.  2.2.97. 

fCater,  n.  A  buyer  of  "cates,"  or  provisions.  4.1.53. 

Caudell,  n.  "A  warm  drink  consisting  of  thin  gruel,  mixed  with  wine  or  ale,  sweet- 
ened and  spiced,  given  chiefly  to  sick  people. "  N.E.D.  2.3.108. 

fCautelous,  a.  Cautious.  1.2.42. 

Cease,  v.  Form  oi seize.  3.3.66. 

171 


172  The  Qaptives, 


Censure,  n.  -j-A  judicial  sentence.  3.2.209. 

Close-place,  n.  A  privy.  5.3.298. 

Colt's  toothe,  n.  Inclination  to  wantonness.  4.  i .  1 7 1 . 

fCombustious,  a.  Turbulent.  5.1.2. 

Commons,  n.  -j-A  privy.  4. 2. 1  I. 

Condition' d,  ppl.  a.   Condition' d  with:  in  the  control  of,  subjeft  to  the  terms  and 

conditions  of.  i .  i .  i  o  i  • 
Congar  [conger],  n.  A  sea-eel.  4. 1.42. 
Congee,  V.  Arch.  Bow.  1.2. 122. 
■(•Consequent,  n.  Logical  inference.  1.1.5. 
Consort,  V.  fAttend.  5.3.234. 
Contentment,  n.  -{-Gratification.  3.3.43. 

Convertite,  n.  Arch.  A  professed  convert  to  a  religious  faith.  5.3.183. 
Cook,  n.  Form  oi cowl.  5.2.14. 
Copy-hold,  n.  An  estate  held  by  a  kind  of  tenure  in  England  of  ancient  origin  called 

"copyhold."  4.1.93. 
Cousininge,  ppl.  a.  [A  form  oi cov:,ening.^^  Cheating,  fraudulent.  1.3.94. 
-}-Covent,  n.  An  old  form  o{ convent.  1.2.7. 
Coyle,  n.  Fuss,  <*row,"  confusion.  3.2.44. 
Cras'd,  ppl.  a.  [Form  oi crazed.^  Diseased,  infirm.   1.2.57. 
Curst,  ppl.  a.  Cross.  Obs.  or  arch.  3. 2. 2 30 ;  4. 1. 186. 
Damosella,  n.  [Form  o{ damosel.^  A  young  unmarried  lady.  2.2.162. 
Dauber,  n.  fA  plasterer  or  builder  of  walls.  1.3. 18. 
Deathe's-man,  n.  Arch.  A  man  who  puts  another  to  death.  3.3.120. 
Deneere,  n,  [Form  of  denier.^  "A  French  coin,  .  .  .  used  as  the  type  of  a  very 

small  sum."  N.E.D.  4.1.266. 
Despight,  V.  -j-Vex  or  provoke  to  anger;  spite.  5.3.301. 
Discoorse,  v.  Relate.  Arch.  5.2.52. 
fDisguest,  V.  Digest.  4.1.437. 
■|-Dispence,  n.  Dispensation ;  pardon.  3.2.60. 
Dorser,  n.  A  basket  carried  on  the  back,  a  pannier.  4.  i .  100. 
DoubtfuU,  a.  -j-Giving  cause  for  apprehensions.  3. 1. 1 1  3. 
Dowbt,  V.  Suspeft.  Arch.  1.1.107. 
Dowbt,  n.  -j-Difficulty.  2.1.206. 
Equll  [equal],  a.  Impartial.  4. 1.429. 
Faft,  n.  -j- Performance,  deed,  aftion.  3.1.85. 
Faftor,  n.  Steward.  5.1.  (opening  stage  direftions). 


The  Qaptives,  1 73 


Fallacy,  n.  f  Deception,  trick.  3.  i .  i  i6;  5.3.  i  lo. 
•)•  False,  V.  Play  false  to,  deceive.  2.  i .  i  2. 
Fayre,  adv.  Speakefayre:  address  courteously.  4.  i  .34. 

Fee-simple,  n.  "An  estate  in  land,  etc.  belonging  to  the  owner  and  his  heirs  for- 
ever." NE.D.  4. 1.93. 
Fend,  V.  Fendinge  and proovinge:  arguing  and  wrangling.  4.  i .  3. 
Fisguigge,  n.  [Form  oi fisgig.^  A  kind  of  harpoon.  4.  i .  3  i . 
Flapp,  n.  Something  broad  with  which  to  strike  flies.  1.1.118. 
Fly-boat,  n.  -f-A  fast  sailing  boat,  i .  i .  74. 
Fore-topp,  n.  fThe  lock  of  hair  on  the  forepart  of  the  crown.  Fig.  especially  in 

phrase :  to  take  time  l/y  the  fore-top.  3.3.35. 
Fraught,  n.  -j-Burden.  2.3.19. 
Gally-foyst,  n.  Obs.  exc.  hist.   "  A  state  barge,  esp.  that  of  the  Lord  Mayor  of 

London."  A'. £.Z).  1.1.159. 
Grizell,  n.  A  meek  and  patient  wife  (from  the  name  of  Chaucer's  heroine  in  the 

C/erk's  TV;/^).  4.1. 138. 
Guarded,  ppl.  a.  Trimmed,  as  with  braid,  lace,  velvet.  Obs.  exc.  hist.  3.2. 1  79. 
Harbor,  n.  Place  of  shelter  or  refuge.  Obs.  exc.  dial.  2.1.37. 
Harletrye,  n.  Harlot.  2.1. 195. 
Heyre,  n.  [Form  of  ^tf/r.]  -{-Kind,  quality.  1.3.36. 
Impart,  v.  fShare.  3.1.55. 

-j-Insidiate,  v.  Lie  in  wait  for;  plot  against.  4.2.42. 
Intendement,  n.  ^Purpose.  3.1.79. 
Intreate,  v.  Obs.  or  arch,  fonn  of  entreat.  3.2.223. 
■j-Intyre,  v.  [Form  o{ entire.]  Attach  closely,  endear.  1.1.55;  5.1.84. 
Irreproovable,  a.  Undeserving  of  reproof.  Now  rare.  3.1.95. 
Jack,  n.  "In  the  virginal  .  .  .  :  An  upright  piece  of  wood  fixed  to  the  back  of  the 

key-lever,  and  fitted  with  a  quill  which  plucked  the  string  as  the  jack  rose  on  the 

key's  being  pressed  down."  N.E.D.  2.3.52. 
Jack  sauce,  n.  A  saucy  fellow.  1.2. 104. 
Limitt,  V.  f  Allot.  3 . 3 . 1 1  3 . 
Magazine,  n.  (i  )fStock  of  clothing.  2.3.41.  (2)  A  place  where  goods  are  laid 

up.  Now  rare.  3.2.19. 
■j-Makareele,  n.  A  bawd.  4.  i .  i  58. 
fMangy,  n.  Obs.  form  oi mange.  2.3.40. 

Marry,  int.  Obs.  exc.  arch,  or  dial.  r=Why  to  be  sure.  4.2. 164. 
Mawmett,  n.  Obs.  exc.  arch,  and  dial.  Used  erroneously  for  Mahomet.  5.3.38. 


1 74  T^he  Qaptives, 

■|-Mechall,  a.  (Only  in  Heywood.)  Adulterous,  z.2.153. 

Milt,  n.  The  roe  or  spawn  of  the  male  fish.  4.  i .  1 04. 

Misreated,  ppl.  a.  Now  rare.  Misjudged.   1. 1.169. 

Motion,  n.  -j- Proposal.  5.3.153. 

Mr.,  n.  -j-An  abbreviation  of  Master,  i .  i .  1 22. 

■j-Mumbudgett,  a.  Silent.  4.  i .  1 24. 

Murreine,  n.  [Form  of z?zarr^/».] -j- Plague.  1.1.198. 

Of,  prep.  fOn.  4.1.366;  5.2.13;  5.3.227. 

Opposite,  a.  -j-Hostile,  antagonistic.  1.2.16. 

Ordinarye,  n.  A  tavern  where  public  meals  were  provided  at  a  fixed  price.  1.3.59. 

Owe,  V.  -j-Own.  4.1.75. 

Patronadge,  n.  Proteftorship.  3.2.218. 

■j-Patronadge,  v.  Protedl,  defend.  3.2.12. 

Patronise,  v.  -j-Secure  proteflion for  (use  not  noted  in  N.E.D.^.  3.2. 193. 

Pox,  n.  "I-Syphilis.  5.3.116. 

Peach,  V.  Inform  against.  Now  rare.  4.  i  .70. 

Peeterman,  n.  A  fisherman  (in  allusion  to  the  occupation  of  Simon  Peter).  4. 1.64. 

Perewinkle,  n.  A  kind  of  sea-snail.  •}•  Playfully  applied  to  a  girl  or  woman.  2.2.54. 

Pink,  n.  A  small  sailing  vessel.  1.1.73. 

Plash,  n.  Puddle.  2.2.90. 

Poynt,  n.  A  cord  for  attaching  the  hose  to  the  doublet.  Now  arch,  or  hist.  5.3.94. 

Praune,  n.  A  kind  of  shell-fish  common  off  the  coasts  of  Great  Britain,  and  used  as 

food.  2.2. 14. 
Progresse,  n.  A  state  journey.  Now  somewhat  archaic.  5.3.328. 
Proper,  a.  fOwn.  1. 1.212. 

Punke,  n.    Obs.  or  rare  arch.  A  prostitute.  1.1.73. 
Purpose,  V.  ^Be  bound.  5.3.233. 

Quaint,  a.  jClever,  full  of  fancies  or  conceits.  2. 1 .  201 . 
Quale,  V.  [Form  oi quell.\  Kill.  Now  rare  or  obs.  3. 1 .  148. 
Quest,  V.  ?  Visit  (an  expression  used  of  hunting  dogs  implying  to  search  about'). 

1.1. 142. 
Rack,  n.  Clouds  driven  before  the  wind  in  the  upper  air.  1.3.43. 
■j-Reguard,  v.  To  guard  doubly.  3.2. 179. 
Repayer,  n.  -j-Return.   1.3.63. 
Repur'd,  ppl.  a.  Rare.  Purified  again.  1.1.39. 
Reserve,  v.  To  save  from  death.  Now  rare.  2. 1.60. 
Rott,  n.  In  the  imprecation:  rott  on.  2.2.70. 
Seralia,  n.  [Form  oi seraglio.^  Harem.  3.2.71. 
Shoone,  v.  [Form  oi shun.^  Escape.  Now  rare  or  obs.  2. 1 .44. 


T^he  Qaptives,  i  75 

Shreve,  n.  Vorm  of  sheriff.  5.3.247. 

•j-Slipp-stringe,  n.  One  who  has  shaken  off  restraint,  a  prodigal.  5.3.282. 

Sollicite,  V.  Disturb.  4.2.85. 

Sowse,  n.  A  sou  (Fr. );  a  blovv.  5.3.49. 

Speede,  v.  Kill.  Arch.  5.2.39. 

f Spittle,  n.  A  hospital.  2.3.54. 

Squetche,  v.  [Squitch.]  Now  dial.  -j-Flinch  or  wince,  fidget.  3.2.  1  20. 

Stagger,  V.  Hesitate.  1.1.82. 

fStart-hole,  n.  Refuge,  hiding-place.  1.3.  i  i  5. 

Still,  adv.  Always.  3.3.105. 

Submisse,  a.  Submissive.  Obs.  exc.  arch.  1.2.96. 

Supplanting,  n.  -j-Causing  the  downfall  of  someone.  1.2.12. 

•j-Suspeft,  n.  Suspicion.  3.3.123. 

Swabber,  n.  One  whose  office  it  was  to  clean  the  deck  of  a  vessel.  5.3.30. 

•j-Syr-reverens,  n.  [Same  as  saving  your  reverence.^  Used  as  apology  for  an  impro- 
priety in  one's  conversation,  and  later  identified  with  the  impropriety  itself;  sir- 
r  ever  ens  like:  base  3.  i .  I  2. 

Temprature,  n.  Temperament.  1.1.93. 

Tent,  V.  Probe.  1.3.48. 

Testat,  n.  -j- Witness,  testimony.  3.2. 1  73;  4.2.41 . 

■)- Then,  conj.  Than.  3.2.1  17. 

Too,  prep.  Obs.  form  o^ to.  3.3.70. 

Too,  adj.  Obs.  iorm  of  tzvo.  3.1. 1  33. 

Toonne,  n.  [Form  of  Z//;?.]  A  large  cask  for  holding  wine,  etc.  1.3.92. 

Topp-gallant,  n.  The  top-gallant  mast  of  a  ship.  3.3.36. 

Trewe,  a.  Honest.  2.2.37. 

Trick,  n.  Knickknack.  5.3.231. 

Vent,  n.  Market.  1. 1.227. 

Venter,  n.  Obs.  t'oTm  oi' venture.  3.3.132. 

fVild,  a.  A  corrupt  form  oi  vile.  5.3.256. 

Virginall,  n.  A  spinet  or  small  harpsichord.  2.3.52. 

Vnbecom,  v.  ? Deprive.  1.1.26. 

■j-Vnfallid,  a.  Infallible.  4.1.379. 

Vnredy,  a.  j-  Not  dressed.  4.2.96. 

Vntrusse,  v.  Untie,  unfasten.  5.3.93. 

Whenas,  conj.  -j-When.  2.2.165. 

•f-Whytinge  mopp,  n.  A  young  whiting  (fish);  figuratively,  a  pretty  girl.  2.2.  i  70. 

Widging,  n.  A  wild  duck,  f  A  fool.  2.3.3. 

Woonder,  v.  Amaze,  surprise.  Rare.  5.3.218. 


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